The remnants of a dying tradition will be on display at Kingsholm on Friday, as the Saxons take on the Wolfhounds in a pre-Six Nations teaser. Gone are the days when a full complement of second string sides would compete in a shadow tournament, with France and Wales both opting to forego their sides entirely and the rest choosing to play only a couple of games each. Even worse is the awful rebranding by both England and Ireland, choosing the ‘Saxons’ and ‘Wolfhounds’, as if somehow more meaning is associated to them than if they were simply called what they are, the ‘A’ sides.
These are now typically hastily organized fixtures between scratch sides with even less familiarity and continuity then their senior counterparts. Unchanged lineups are rare, and there are often players selected who are questionably first choice at their club, never mind in contention for full international honours. That said the selections for this particular encounter, and its potential as a vehicle for promotion given its timing, have driven its value beyond what would typically be attributed to such a contest.
Of particular interest to English fans will be the backline, which is arguably more exciting than the one likely to be selected for the test match in a week’s time. Even after losing Tom Varndell, Jonathan Joseph, Mathew Tait, and Fijian draftee Semesa Rokoduguni to injury the week before the match, the three quarter line still boasts in-form wingers Charlie Sharples and Anthony Watson, with the latter especially on the radar for possible inclusion in the test side sooner rather than later.
Leicester-bound Freddie Burns had been tipped for greatness this season, but extended deliberations over his departure from Gloucester has severely affected his form to the degree that to some he is lucky to be stating ahead of Henry Slade, the Exeter tyro who has been so impressive since graduating from the world champion u20 side a few months ago. Incredibly three other Chiefs of Devon are included in the match day squad, with fellow u20 grad Sam Hill featuring at inside centre and scrumhalf Dave Lewis in the reserves alongside Slade.
The fourth is undoubtedly the most intriguing player in the side, Zimbabwe-born no8 Dave Ewers, who has exploded onto the premiership after taking over from retired Richard Baxter at the foot of the Exeter scrum. His thunderous carrying has thrust him into the limelight, and a good performance in this step up could catapult him into legitimate World Cup contention given Ben Morgan’s indifferent form this season.
While only three capped players adorn the English lineup, twelve find their place among the Irish XV, with another five on the bench. Scrumhalf Isaac Boss will be the oldest player on the park by five years, and he is joined by experienced campaigners Dan Tuohy and Fergus McFadden. Dynamic wingers Craig Gilroy and Simon Zebo are included to shake off ring rust after only recently returning from injury, so too hooker Richardt Strauss, starting from the bench but sure to see action having recovered from heart surgery much sooner than expected.
In-form Leinster flanker Rhys Ruddock leads the side, with popular Munster-man Tommy O’Donnell joining him on the flank, and Cardiff Blues star Robin Copeland, soon to be of Munster himself, packing down at no8. Lumpy Leinster tighthead Martin Moore, surely closer to 20 stone than his ‘official’ weight, is a throwback to props of days past and his work in the scrum will be of great interest to Joe Schmidt as Mike Ross rapidly approaches his 35th birthday. Similarly Robbie Henshaw will hope to continue his rise as a contender to replace Brian O’Driscoll at outside centre.
Expect Ireland to win this one by 10 points given the extreme gap in experience, but the result really is of little importance. This is a effectively a trial match for a few select players, with others given an opportunity to stand out at a level above their club, though whether this will compare to the intensity of Heineken Cup rugby is of some doubt. With a little luck four or five of the players on show will take another step up the ladder towards stardom and a spot in the big show now little more than 18 months away.
ENGLAND ‘A’ vs IRELAND ‘A’
Saturday, January 25, 17:00 GMT, Gloucester
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
Assistants: Wayne Davies (WRU) & Jon Mason (WRU)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)
