Wasps five line up for Saxons showdown
Simpson, Skivington, Waldouck, Ward and Webber all named in 22 for England Saxons clash with Portugal at Edgeley Park tonight
Wasps' Rob Webber and Dominic Waldouck will start against Portugal for the England Saxons on Friday
England Saxons Head Coach Stuart Lancaster has named his side for the first Saxons clash against Portugal tonight.
England's young guns, whose average age is just 22, take on Portugal's full international side, known as Los Lobos or the Wolves, at Stockport's Edgeley Park, home of Sale Sharks tonight, January 30 (8pm, live on Sky Sports 1).
In an impressive back line, Leicester Tigers' wing Tom Varndell joins Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby) and Noah Cato (Saracens) in the back three. Wasp Dominic Waldouck and Saracen Adam Powell form the centre pairing and inside them, Bristol Rugby fly half Ed Barnes joins Harry Ellis, who makes his return at scrum half.
Up front, Leicester's Dan Cole props down at loose-head whilst his Tigers team mate Jordan Crane moves from his usual No 8 position to join Wasps' George Skivington in the second row. Crane's place in the back row is taken by skipper Phil Dowson, whilst Saxons newcomers Kearnan Myall (Leeds Carnegie) and Andy Saull (Saracens) start on the flanks. Completing the pack are fellow Saxons' debutant and Wasps' hooker Rob Webber and experienced Falcons' prop Dave Wilson.
George Skivington will line up for the Saxons on Friday
Fellow Wasps Joe Ward and Joe Simpson are also names ad part of the 22 with a seat on the bench.
Looking ahead to the game, Head Coach Stuart Lancaster, "This is a team based on potential for the future and that's very much what England Saxons, and this game especially, is about.
"It's a great opportunity for a lot of young talented players to put a marker down on the international stage."
Five of last year's successful England U20s squad that won the Grand Slam and reached the final of the Junior World Championship are joined by a host of other young players, who have already shown their form in the Guinness Premiership.
"Then you've got the likes of Phil Dowson and Jordan Crane who will bring experience as well as their club form into the side," added Lancaster.
Joe Ward is named on the bench for Portugal clash
For England scrum half Harry Ellis, the match marks his return to action after a six week absence. "Harry has been outstanding all week in training and it'll be great for him to get some game time, "said Lancaster. "I know the senior coaches are keen to see him back in action and this is the perfect stage."
Despite the short turn around, the players got together on Monday after a busy weekend of European action, Lancaster and Assistant Coach Paul Hull are pleased with their preparations. "The players have applied themselves very well and really bought into the culture of the team we're trying to create.
"They're looking forward to challenging and expressing themselves against tough, and far more senior, international opposition."
London Irish flanker Jon Fisher, the youngest member of the squad at just 20, joined the squad yesterday in place of the injured Ben Woods and takes his place on the bench. "Jon is another example of a player who excelled in the Under 20s World Championship and this is a great development opportunity for him," said Lancaster.
Tickets for England Saxons match against Portugal this Friday are available from Sale Sharks (www.salesharks.com) and are priced at just £10 for adults and £5 for juniors.
England Saxons
15. Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby)*
14. Tom Varndell (Leicester Tigers)*
13. Dominic Waldouck (London Wasps)
12. Adam Powell (Saracens)
11. Noah Cato (Saracens)
10. Ed Barnes (Bristol Rugby)
9. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers)*
Wasps Academy star, Joe Simpson, is named alongside Ward on the bench
1. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
2. Rob Webber (London Wasps)
3. Dave Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)
4. Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers)*
5. George Skivington (London Wasps)
6. Kearnan Myall (Leeds Carnegie)
7. Andy Saull (Saracens)
8. Phil Dowson (Newcastle Falcons, captain)
Replacements
16. Joe Ward (London Wasps)
17. Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby)
18. Tom Mercey (Saracens)
19. Jon Fisher (London Irish)
20. Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
21. Alex Goode (Saracens)
22. Matt Smith (Leicester Tigers)
* Denotes capped player
England Saxons fixtures 2009
January 30
England Saxons v Portugal, Edgeley Park, kick off 8pm (live on Sky Sports 1)
February 6
Ireland A v England Saxons, Donnybrook, kick off 7.30pm
June 6-20
Churchill Cup, North America, dates and fixtures to be confirmed.
