Miller in U20 world cup squad
Last updated 19:26, Thursday, 13 November 2008
FORMER Keswick and Aspatria rugby union player Rob Miller, now with Newcastle Falcons, has been named in the England squad for next year’s IRB Junior World Championship.
England will face host nation Japan, Samoa and then Scotland in their three Pool B matches on June 5, 9 and 13. The two knock-out rounds follow on June 17 and 21.
England go into the tournament as second seeds after reaching the final of the 2008 tournament in Wales, where they beat Australia (18-13) and South Africa (26-18) before they were defeated 38-3 by New Zealand at the Liberty Stadium.
Former Gloucester and England fly half Mark Mapletoft coaches the side this season after taking over from Nigel Redman and will be assisted by ex-Bath and England lock Martin Haag.
The 2009 JWC tournament, which brings together the finest international players at U20 level, will be played across four cities with Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka each hosting a pool.
Champions New Zealand top Pool A in Nagoya and will be joined by Argentina, Ireland and Uruguay, who will be playing in their first championship after earning promotion from the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2008.
Pool C is headed by South Africa, who finished third in Wales, while France, Italy and Fiji will also play their pool matches in Osaka. Wales are top seeds in Pool D in Fukuoka, and are joined by Australia, Canada and Tonga.
The England squad goes to a warm-weather training camp in Portugal next month ahead of defending their RBS U20 Six Nations title against Italy (February 6 at Worcester), Wales (February 13, Bridgend), Ireland (February 27, Athlone), France (March 13, Worcester) and Scotland (March 20, Worcester).
The games against France and Scotland are being shown live on SkySports.
England U20 squad – Forwards: Joe Marler, Ben Moon, James Clark, Tom Collett, Jamie George, Phil Swainston, Bob Baker, Courtney Lawes, Dan Williams, Graham Kitchener, James Gaskell, Calum Clark, Chris York, Jacob Rowan, Tom Sargeant, Carl Fearns, Rob Milligan.
Backs: Ben Youngs, David Lewis, Dan White, Rob Miller, Rory Clegg, Charlie Sharples, Sam Smith, Luke Eves, Mike Stanley, Tom Casson, Henry Trinder, Seb Stegmann, Will Hurrell, James Short, Freddie Burns.
