Ewers to start for Saxons

By Mark Stevens
15/6/2016

Exeter Chiefs forward Dave Ewers is one of three changes the England Saxons have made to their squad for their second test against South Africa A on Friday.

The powerful forward comes onto the blindside flank, meaning club-mate Don Armand moves to No.8 for the game at Outeniqua Park in George (6:10pm BST).

Also included are Wasps winger Christian Wade and Exeter centre Sam Hill, who is named among the replacements for the game. Hill’s inclusion means the Chiefs will have five of last season’s squad in the match-day 23, while summer signing Ollie Devoto is also included from the outset.

Head Coach Ali Hepher (pictured) said: “We’ve got to improve again. South Africa will come back with an improved performance and so we need to make a shift as big, if not bigger than they do. We’ve been working on certain things in training so that we can put more into the game and take our opportunities better when they come. We’ll be looking to be more clinical this week.”

On the squad changes he added: “Unfortunately Alex Lewington has picked up an injury and so is not available. There were a couple of big performances off the bench last time and so those players have pushed their cases to make the starting line-up.”

A strong Saxons first half last Friday, which saw tries from Alec Hepburn, Samesa Rokoduguni and Dan Robson, secured the first test win. However, South Africa A fought back in the second period hauling themselves to within a point before Ollie Devoto landed a final minute try to leave the final score 24-32.

Reflecting on the game, Hepher added: “We handled South Africa’s physicality well, where we need to improve is in our organisation and understanding, to be smart in the way we play. We’ve had more time to gel together as a side and I think we’re more than capable of matching and beating their physicality with the team we have got.”

The side travelled directly from Bloemfontein to Cape Town where they have since been training before they go on to George tomorrow for the final game of this two-match series.

England Saxons match-day 23 for second game against South Africa ‘A’

15. Mike Haley (Sale Sharks)
14. Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby)
13. Nick Tompkins (Saracens)
12. Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby)
11. Christian Wade (Wasps)
10. Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks)
9. Dan Robson (Wasps)
1. Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs)
2. Tommy Taylor (Sale Sharks)
3. Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints)
4. Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, capt)
5. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
6. Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs)
7. Matt Kvesic (Gloucester)
8. Don Armand (Exeter Chiefs)

16. George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons)
17. Ross Harrison (Sale Sharks)
18. Jake Cooper-Woolley (Wasps)
19. Mitch Lees (Exeter Chiefs)
20. Sam Jones (Wasps)
21. Micky Young (Newcastle Falcons)
22. Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
23. Sam James (Sale Sharks)