England Saxons Win Churchill Cup 2008

England Saxons reflect on Barclays Churchill Cup triumph



England Saxons head coach Steve Bates believes that his team’s triumph in the Barclays Churchill Cup has given England’s hopefuls the best possible chance of future honours.



And with next season’s Elite Player Squad being announced on July 1, Bates hopes that a number of players may be in with a shout sooner rather than later.



“We’ve got some great leaders who stepped forward today and alongside them some of the younger players put their hands up and showed how much they want to make the step up to seniors,” he said.



“Jordan Crane was excellent and his award was deserved recognition. I also thought that Jack Forster was outstanding today, as was Ollie Smith, particularly in defence where his influence showed.



“Nick Abendanon showed himself to be a much more mature player, more considered in his options and our second row of Chris Jones and George Skivington were excellent too.



“For me the real star of the show has been Paul Hodgson, he’s been fantastic in every game.”



And the London Irish scrum half acknowledges that inclusion in a week’s time has spurred many of the players on. “Breaking into that elite 32-man squad is on all the players’ agendas. That’s where we strive to be so getting included is a massive target.”



The scrum half, who already has a cap to his name, knew that coming back as part of a winning team would help his cause but, he admits, it wasn’t easy.



“The Scots were very up for it and being a final they made us fight for a long time. It was only when we got a score ahead of them in the second half that we managed to break away a bit.



“All in all, we came here to win the tournament and that’s what we’ve done. It’s been a great tournament for me, you learn so much playing with different players.



“You have to adapt very quickly and that’s what international rugby is all about. I thought that’s what really came out this tour, we’ve moulded together very well as a team that that’s what won it for us.



One of those to impress Hodgson was his Exiles team mate Steffon Armitage. “Steff showed that he’s an outstanding player, not only an impact player but also a guy who can last a full 80 minutes. He’s got great stamina but he’s really quick as he showed today with an outstanding break. He’s probably one of the best over the ball, a great defender and a great carrier. He’s got it all really and he’s definitely one for the future.”



Captain Will Skinner (Harlequins) is another hoping that victory has advanced his cause. “I’m very proud of the boys and very pleased with the performances they put in.



“I think a lot of the guys can be really pleased with the performances they put in. We’ll all be on the edge of our seats waiting for that selection in a week’s time.



“The Scots came at us hard especially in the first two minutes and then again at the beginning of the second half, but luckily we were able to hold them out.



“Playing Scotland required us to make that step up and we did that. We really had to front up and the guys put a heartfelt performance in.



“At half time we said we would play with a bit more patience and look after the ball a bit better. We were able to get a great try though some great skills from Ollie Smith and then add a few more points in the second half.”



A 16-point personal tally for Gloucester fly half Ryan Lamb, helped his team secure victory and said Lamb, “It’s fantastic to lift the trophy again.”



“Hopefully Jon Callard (England kicking coach) won’t be too disappointed with me. I had 100% with my kicks for goal until the end, when I missed the last two, so I’m pleased that I stepped it up from last week.



“It’s great to get that win, especially against the Scots. You know what you’re going to get with any Scottish side, they’ll come out and try and mess you up at the breakdown. They made a few good breaks too but in the end we just had too much quality for them.



“We’ve said all week that if we keep on with our game they would fall off at the end and that’s exactly what happened. With strike runners like the ones we have, I knew I had to get the ball out wide, they can do so much damage.



“This tournament has been fantastic for me, the camaraderie throughout the team has been great and we’re just really pleased to have come away with the trophy.”



Leicester Tigers Number 8 Jordan Crane, voted the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, agreed. “It’s great to win a big competition like the Churchill Cup.



“The Scots were fitting opponents. They’ve given us the best game since we’ve been out here. After the first half, we knew we had to come out strong in the second period, but they managed to surprise us again. Bur our fitness and skills proved too much for them in the end.



“Our defence was very pleasing today. Although we conceded one try we stood firm at times when we were only three points up.



“The way we came back after they scored a try and a penalty to take the lead was probably the turning point. We got down in their 22 and capitalised from their errors and managed to put ourselves back in front.”



Young Gloucester prop Jack Forster played in last year’s final but earned his first start this time around. “The win caps a massively good tour for me. To lift the cup again this year having done it last year is a really good experience.



“The performance wasn’t the greatest we’ve ever had, I don’t think, but the main thing is we all dug in to get the result. Scotland came at us hard as we knew they would but we weren’t quite switched on. But luckily in the second half we turned it around and got some good tries.



“We missed a couple of tackles early on which let them get a try. After that they got their tails in the air. But we did well to regain some control and settle down with what we wanted to do rather then let them dictate things to us.



“I would say that we had the upper hand in the set piece. We gave away the first penalty at scrum time but once the referee started looking at it a bit more closely he realised that they were messing around a bit and after that we won the battle there.



“Playing with guys like George Chuter and Andy Titterrell you’re able to learn so much from their approach to the game. They’ve been there and done it a lot more times than you and I’ve picked up quite a few things from them and their experience.”



Bath full back Nick Abendanon was another who put in impressive display after last week being voted man of the match against Ireland.



“The boys are ecstatic,” he said after the final. “It’s been a tough three weeks and it’s great that the hard work’s paid off.



“The Scots were definitely fitting opponents for the final, at one stage in the second half I thought we might have underestimated how good they are as a team, they put us under a lot of pressure and make a few good breaks.



“But towards the end the boys’ fitness came through and we managed to grind it out.



“Hodgy (Paul Hodgson) loves quick ball and Lamby’s (Ryan Lamb) got a pretty awesome pass so it was great playing outside them.



“We don’t get a lot of time to spend with players outside your own club during the season so it’s been great to make a few new friends, on and off the pitch.



“Every time you pull on an England shirt you’re going to learn something new. After not being involved in the first game, I definitely picked up a few things from playing against Ireland.



“Obviously I’ll have my fingers crossed next week. I know one of the things the England coaches were looking for me to do was to improve my decision making. Out here I’ve been trying to tighten my game up in general and to be a bit more consistent.



“I hope I did that pretty. It would be great if I could squeeze myself in there come July 1.”



Ends

A cup!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:06:22:20:05:26 by Rarua.

Didn't we show the NZ Maori how to win it last year?

Well done lads!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:06:22:20:11:48 by tigeroo.

Yup well done. When was the last time our A team were beaten?

I thought Lamb played really well. Some great passes, few good breaks & some huge tackles.

Also unlike the Ireland game he kicked really well.