Cumbrian Miller keeps his place in England RU squad
Last updated 12:39, Monday, 22 September 2008
Cumbrian star Robert Miller has retained his place in the England Under-20 squad.
The Newcastle Falcons stand-off, who started his career with Keswick School and Aspatria, has been named in a squad of 32 for this season’s Under-20’s international programme.
Ten of the 32 players were capped at this level last season and six appeared at the IRB Junior World Championship in Wales – Miller, Calum Clark (Leeds Carnegie), James Clark (London Irish), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Luke Eves (Bristol Rugby) and Seb Stegmann (Harlequins).
The bulk of the rest of the squad is drawn from England's Under 18 ranks from the last two years, while flanker Carl Fearns (Sale Sharks) is one of those back in the mix after injury.
England have a high standard to aim at after sweeping to a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2008 before defeating Australia and South Africa to reach their first-ever world age-group final, where they were beaten by New Zealand, in June.
The squad assembled for a four-day training camp in Devon expecting to put this season's playing patterns in place with new coach Mark Mapletoft.
Instead they were transported to the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone, where Captain Erik Nielsen and his Physical Training Instructors were preparing a more gruelling programme.
Nights under the stars were followed by days of team competitions on the Lympstone base and the Woodbury Common training area.
The players were tested in swimming tests, shooting sessions and leadership exercises, climbed 30ft walls, tackled the Commando Assault Course twice and then the gruelling cross country Endurance Course with its tunnels, wading pools and water tests.
"We wanted to take them out of their comfort zone and normal working environment," said Capt Nielsen.
