Tonga and Italy A join Churchill Cup

[TRF_Cymro]

Tonga and Italy A will make their Churchill Cup debut in England this June.

They will join Canada, Russia, USA Eagles and holders England Saxons over a two-week period beginning on June 4 and reaching its climax on June 18 at Worcester Warriors' Sixways Stadium.

With the Rugby World Cup starting in September, the ninth Churchill Cup provides an ideal pre-tournament team warm up opportunity and for a number of players to knock on the selectors door to represent their country in New Zealand.

The full fixture list, including pools and venues, which will include Franklin's Gardens and Kingsholm, are now confirmed as the tournament returns to England from its traditional North American base for the first time since 2007.

"With no summer tour for England this June, this is a great opportunity to for rugby fans to see six quality international teams on their doorstep," said Paul Vaughan, the RFU's Business Operations Director and a member of the Churchill Cup Executive.

2011 Churchill Cup

Pool A
England Saxons
USA
Tonga

Pool B
Canada
Italy A
Russia

Saturday June 4 at Franklin's Gardens
Italy A v Canada
England Saxons v USA

Wednesday June 8, at Esher RFC
Tonga v USA
Russia v Canada

Sunday June 12, at Kingsholm
Italy A v Russia
England Saxons v Tonga

Saturday June 18, at Sixways Stadium
Bowl Final
Plate Final
Cup Final

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_6784079,00.html​

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Italy 'A' are going to get smashed, but it's great to see Tonga getting more games, especially in the run up to the WC

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I'm disappointed that once again Ireland A aren't involved. The Churchill Cup is much more valuable for up and coming players than pointless mid season A internationals.

 

[LittleGuy]

I think the Saxons have to be heavy favourites in this years Churchill especially with it being played in England, might even be a rematch of last years final vs Canada. I think the other five teams are relatively well matched, Canada being a slight favourite in Pool B and the USA vs. Tonga game should be intriuging in Pool A.

Of course a lot depends on player selection, Tonga, Canada, Russia and the States will be using this a world cup warmup and we should see close to full strength teams from these four. I think the Saxons will field a strong team as well, with no travel involved and wanting the home supporters to come out. I'm not sure what we will see from Italy "A" I guess a lot of Aironi players and some Benneton reserves mixed in with some lower level players. Still it might be a last chance for people to make impressions and get a World Cup spot should the Italian Senior squad have any injuries or player withdrawals.

I'm looking forward to this years tournament and its nice to see that there will be some matches that will count as full internationals between the four tier two countries. How do the England fans rate this tournament should we expect to see some decent crowds out (10,000-17,000)? Looks like when you buy a ticket you get into the other games on the same day as well.

 

[MichaelBoard]

I don't know if this is a daft question but why aren't Wales involved in the Churchill Cup or why haven't they been involved previously? Is it simply the fact that we have no A side?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I don't know if this is a daft question but why aren't Wales involved in the Churchill Cup or why haven't they been involved previously? Is it simply the fact that we have no A side?

Cost, apparently we can't afford the £250,000 a year to run it, despite the fact that the current WRU Chairman who back when he was the Welsh Team Manager said when he would become WRU Chairman he would bring back the A-Side. Not only that last two years has been the biggest profiting years for the WRU ... yet we still cannot afford an 'A' side. At the start of the season it was announced that they would have two tests in July, but that is subject to clubs agreeing and if the WRU can be bothered.

 

[munstermuffin]

Agreed with Snoop in that I'm very disappointed we don't allow our A team in to this. I felt when we won it in 09 it was super experience for the lads and allowed coaches see more players.

As for trophy it's self pool A clash of Saxons and Tonga will be good game but whoever wind pool A will sail through final

 

[MichaelBoard]

Cost, apparently we can't afford the £250,000 a year to run it, despite the fact that the current WRU Chairman who back when he was the Welsh Team Manager said when he would become WRU Chairman he would bring back the A-Side. Not only that last two years has been the biggest profiting years for the WRU ... yet we still cannot afford an 'A' side. At the start of the season it was announced that they would have two tests in July, but that is subject to clubs agreeing and if the WRU can be bothered.

Thanks for the explanation. Yeah its ridiculous that the WRU won't just sort it out and get us into the Churchill Cup as its a fantastic way to give players experience. It works well as a 2 tier system for selection aswell with demotion to the A squad and promotion to the full Welsh squad. It really would be a superb platform from which we can test young promising players and expose them at a fairly high and competitive level of rugby aswell as those who are not playing so well but are likely to be involved in the future or those who are knocking on the door for a full call-up but just missed out. It will give the likes of Ashley Smith at the Dragons a chance to show his talent as many people do not think he is ready to play for Wales (I think he is though and should be given a chance), Richard Fussell, Aled Brew, Dan Biggar, Tom Prydie etc. England and the other participants of the Churchill squad use their A team to great effect in this way and I think Wales really need to follow suit as we are definitely missing a trick there.

 

[ORothlain]

Yeah, I figured Ireland A would make regular appearances after '09. It's a good development tournament.

 

[LittleGuy]

Agreed with Snoop in that I'm very disappointed we don't allow our A team in to this. I felt when we won it in 09 it was super experience for the lads and allowed coaches see more players.

As for trophy it's self pool A clash of Saxons and Tonga will be good game but whoever wind pool A will sail through final

Tonga won't be that good I don't think they'll be much more challenging then Canada or the States for the Saxons who shouldn't have much trouble with anyone if they play anywhere near their standards.

 

[187]

I'm glad to hear Tonga are participating in this tournament. I hope it's a regular thing as they need a wider variety of opponents year in, year out.

The Tongan squad selected so far in the past year has performed poorly. I don't give us much hope for this RWC unfortunately. But who knows.

I hope they show these games here in NZ!

 

[Asdar]

I hope they show these matches here in italy

 

[Asdar]

Italy 'A' = Doomed