Saxons loaded with Test experience for SA tour
Former Stormers and Ikeys loose forward Don Armand and seven players with Test experience have been included in the England Saxons squad to tour South Africa in June.
The Harare-born Armand left the Stormers three years ago when he joined the English Aviva Premiership outfit Exeter Chiefs.
The 27-man squad for the two matches against South Africa ‘A’ will be coached by Exeter Chiefs assistant coach Ali Hepher, assisted by Alan Dickens (Northampton Saints) and Andy Titterrell (Wasps).
The Saxons squad, comprising of experienced names and emerging talent, including former DHL Western Province loose forward Don Armand, will play in at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday 10 June and Outeniqua Park in George on Friday 17 June. Both matches will kick off at 19h10.
England internationals Kieran Brookes, Dave Attwood, Matt Kvesic, Danny Cipriani, Christian Wade, Semesa Rokoduguni and Luther Burrell bring 69 senior caps to the squad and many of the remaining 20 have represented England in age-grade teams in recent years.
Attwood, Kvesic, Burrell, Tommy Taylor and Oliver Devoto were also named in Eddie Jones’ wider squad to play Wales for the Old Mutual Wealth Cup at Twickenham on Sunday.
Saxons head coach Ali Hepher said: “Eddie Jones has given us a strong development squad to take on a South Africa A side. The squad has a good mixture of experienced players and emerging talent.
“Playing twice in South Africa is going to be a great challenge and a significant test for us but it is also an incredibly exciting opportunity for the players and management to prove themselves.
“The series will give the players international experience and will be an important stepping stone towards international honours.
“As coaches, this is an exciting opportunity for us too, not only to coach this group of highly-talented players but also for us to gain some international rugby experience.”
The SA ‘A’ head coach and management team will be named later in this week, while the squad will be announced on Saturday evening.
England Saxons squad
Forwards: Ross Harrison (Sale Sharks), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Tommy Taylor (Wasps), George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons), Jake Cooper-Woolley (Wasps), Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints), James Craig (Northampton Saints), Mitch Lees (Exeter Chiefs), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby), Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), Donovan Armand (Exeter Chiefs), Matthew Kvesic (Gloucester), James Chisholm (Harlequins), Sam Jones (Wasps)
Backs: Dan Robson (Wasps), Michael Young (Newcastle Falcons), Oliver Devoto (Bath Rugby), Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Christian Wade, Smesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints), Alex Lewington (London Irish), Sam James (Sale Sharks), Mike Haley (Sale Sharks).