Cumbrian kid Miller in as England take on Canada
Last updated 11:41, Tuesday, 10 June 2008
CUMBRIAN Rob Miller has been included in the England Under-20 side for tonight’s Junior World Championship Pool C game against Canada.
Others starting their first game of the tournament are Luke Eves (Bristol), Ben Youngs and Gregor Gillanders (both Leicester), Joe Gray (Northampton) and Matthew Cox (Worcester).
Four players are making their first starts of the season - prop Billy Moss, Northampton lock Courtney Lawes, Newcastle centre Alex Tait and Gloucester wing Charlie Sharples.
England opened the tournament by scoring six tries in a 41-17 win over Fiji, while the Canadians were beaten 81-12 by Australia.
Coach Nigel Redman’s side go on to face Australia on June 14 at Newport and almost certainly need to win all three of their Pool C games to book a semi-final place against Pool B winners – likely to be South Africa – at the Arms Park in Cardiff on June 18.
Miller, who learnt his rugby at Keswick School and Aspatria, is now a member of Newcastle Falcons’ first team squad who has also spent time on loan at Tynedale.
After graduating via the Under-16’s and Under-18’s in the England set-up Miller was expected to move-up if his form held-up. He played in the Home international championship at the end of last season and now gets his chance on the world stage.
Tonight’s game is being played at Rodney Parade (5pm).
England Under 20s: Noah Cato (Saracens), Mark Odejobi (London Wasps), Luke Eves (Bristol Rugby), Alex Tait (Newcastle Falcons), Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby), Rob Miller (Newcastle Falcons), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Billy Moss (Bath Rugby), Joe Gray (Northampton Saints), Scott Freer (Leeds Carnegie), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Gregor Gillanders (Leicester Tigers), Jon Fisher (London Irish), Matthew Cox (Worcester Warriors), Hugo Ellis (London Wasps, captain).
Replacements: James Clark (London Irish), Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Ben Thomas (Saracens), Scott Hobson (Cornish Pirates), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Alex Goode (Saracens), Miles Benjamin (Worcester Warriors).
