Five Chiefs named in Saxons squad

By Mark Stevens
23/5/2016

Exeter Chiefs will have a strong representation within the England Saxons squad for the forthcoming tour to South Africa.

The 27-man squad will include forwards Alec Hepburn, Mitch Lees, Dave Ewers and Don Armand, together with backs Sam Hill and Ollie Devoto, the latter of whom is set to join the Devon club next season from Aviva Premiership rivals Bath.

As well as the six players, the tour party - who will play two tests against South Africa A - will be headed up by Chiefs' assistant coach Ali Hepher, who will be assisted by Alan Dickens (Northampton Saints) and Andy Titterrell (Wasps).

The squad, compromised of experienced names and emerging talent, will play South Africa’s second team in Bloemfontein on Friday 10 June and Outeniqua Park in George on Friday 17 June. Both games will kick off at 7.10pm local time and be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

England internationals Kieran Brookes, Dave Attwood, Matt Kvesic, Danny Cipriani, Christian Wade, Semesa Rokoduguni and Luther Burrell bring 69 senior caps to the squad and many of the remaining 20 have represented England in age-grade teams in recent years.

Attwood, Kvesic, Burrell, Tommy Taylor and Devoto were named yesterday in Eddie Jones’ wider squad to play Wales for the Old Mutual Wealth Cup at Twickenham on Sunday, 29 May.

Head coach Hepher said: “Eddie Jones has given us a strong development squad to take on a South Africa A side. The squad has a good mixture of experienced players and emerging talent.

“Playing South Africa twice in South Africa is going to be a great challenge and a significant test for us but it is also an incredibly exciting opportunity for the players and management to prove themselves.

“The series will give the players international experience and will be an important stepping stone towards international honours. As coaches, this is an exciting opportunity for us too, not only to coach this group of highly-talented players but also for us to gain some international rugby experience.”

Also included among the England coaching staff will be Exeter S&C coach Rob Beddard.

Forwards

Ross Harrison (Sale Sharks)
Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs)
Tommy Taylor (Wasps)
George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons)
Jake Cooper-Woolley (Wasps)
Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints) *16 senior England caps
James Craig (Northampton Saints)
Mitch Lees (Exeter Chiefs)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby) *22 senior England caps
Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs)
Donovan Armand (Exeter Chiefs)
Matthew Kvesic (Gloucester) *2 senior England caps
James Chisholm (Harlequins)
Sam Jones (Wasps)

Backs
Dan Robson (Wasps)
Michael Young (Newcastle Falcons)
Oliver Devoto (Bath Rugby)
Danny Cipriani (Wasps) *14 senior England caps
Christian Wade (Wasps) *1 senior England cap
Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby) *1 senior England cap
Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens)
Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints) *13 senior England caps
Alex Lewington (London Irish)
Sam James (Sale Sharks)
Mike Haley (Sale Sharks)

Management Team
Head Coach - Ali Hepher (Exeter Chiefs)
Assistant Coach - Andy Titterrell (Wasps)
Assistant Coach - Alan Dickens (Northampton Saints)
Team Manager - Richard Hill