Latest news with #TestDebut
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roebuck breakthrough inspires England debutant Carpenter
United States v England Date: Saturday 19 July Kick-off: 22:05 BST Venue: Audi Field, Washington DC Coverage: Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app Full-back Joe Carpenter says he wants to follow the example of Sale team-mate Tom Roebuck in claiming a regular England spot when he makes his Test debut against the United States on Saturday. Carpenter toured Japan and New Zealand last summer with England, without winning a cap, and was left out of Steve Borthwick's autumn and Six Nations selections. However, with Marcus Smith on Lions duty and George Furbank out injured, he has been part of the squad this summer, scoring a try in the non-cap warm-up match against a France XV last month. Roebuck, Carpenter's former house-mate, was frustrated to not get more game time in Japan and New Zealand last summer, but made his first England start against Wales in the Six Nations and has four tries in his past four Tests. "I'm excited to rip in," Carpenter told BBC Sport. "An opportunity to play for England is massive and, whatever game it is, it's an opportunity to put my best foot forward and hopefully stay in the squad and get more opportunities. "It's great to be in this environment with Tom and see him thrive. I think he's on five or six caps now and so I'm massively proud of him. "We lived in academy houses together, and then moved into town together before eventually splitting off to live with our partners. He's definitely my best mate in terms of rugby. "To have someone that close to you doing it, it just pushes you to be better and get there with him. "Unfortunately, he's not playing this weekend. It would have been cool to share the field with him in an England shirt. "But, I'm hoping that time will come at some point." Carpenter faces considerable competition for the 15 shirt. Leicester's Freddie Steward started both wins over Argentina earlier in the tour, while, in addition to Furbank and Smith, injured Lion Elliot Daly and Henry Arundell, back in England contention after moving to Bath, can also play full-back. However, the 23-year-old believes he is well suited to the attacking, opportunistic style that England want to play. "For me there's a lot on kick return and beating the first man, which is a big focus here - getting the boys on the front foot," he said. "That's massive. And also being that edge connection that gets the ball to the wingers. We have got Cadan [Murley] and Manny [Immanuel Feyi-Waboso] this weekend who are absolutely flying. I want those boys to get the ball. "I get on with Freddie really well. It's great when that's the case because you can compete together, learn together and get better together. "Freddie is an aerial beast, isn't he? That has been an area of my game over the past three years that I've been trying to match to his because obviously that's one of one of his USPs. "And also how he carries the ball and his defensive work in the backfield - his positioning is always spot on." Even with Roebuck rested, Sale are the best-represented club in England's XV in Washington with fly-half George Ford and props Bevan Rodd and Asher Opoku-Fordjour alongside Carpenter. Ben Curry is on the bench and, behind the scenes, Sale's defence coach Byron McGuigan and physio Nav Sandhu have been seconded to England's staff this summer. Sale lost to Steward's Leicester in the Premiership semi-finals in June, the fourth time in the past five seasons that they have reached the play-offs. "I think that representation kind of reflects the last few seasons at Sale really," Carpenter added. "All the lads and all the coaches have been fantastic here, but it is really good that we've got such a good crew of Sale boys here. "Next year for us it is about how we can keep that consistency throughout the year and I think it will show with the boys here and the boys we have signed." Sale pair Tom Curry and Luke Cowan-Dickie are touring with the Lions this summer, while Raffi Quirke and Rekeiti Ma'asi-White are on England's fringes and second row Ben Bamber and hooker Nathan Jibulu have been involved with England A. The hottest favourites in 100 years, can Lions deliver on their promise? Listen: Sport's Strangest Crimes - Bloodgate Listen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Roebuck breakthrough inspires England debutant Carpenter
United States v EnglandDate: Saturday 19 July Kick-off: 22:05 BST Venue: Audi Field, Washington DCCoverage: Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app Full-back Joe Carpenter says he wants to follow the example of Sale team-mate Tom Roebuck in claiming a regular England spot when he makes his Test debut against the United States on toured Japan and New Zealand last summer with England, without winning a cap, and was left out of Steve Borthwick's autumn and Six Nations with Marcus Smith on Lions duty and George Furbank out injured, he has been part of the squad this summer, scoring a try in the non-cap warm-up match against a France XV last Carpenter's former house-mate, was frustrated to not get more game time in Japan and New Zealand last summer, but made his first England start against Wales in the Six Nations and has four tries in his past four Tests."I'm excited to rip in," Carpenter told BBC Sport."An opportunity to play for England is massive and, whatever game it is, it's an opportunity to put my best foot forward and hopefully stay in the squad and get more opportunities."It's great to be in this environment with Tom and see him thrive. I think he's on five or six caps now and so I'm massively proud of him."We lived in academy houses together, and then moved into town together before eventually splitting off to live with our partners. He's definitely my best mate in terms of rugby."To have someone that close to you doing it, it just pushes you to be better and get there with him."Unfortunately, he's not playing this weekend. It would have been cool to share the field with him in an England shirt."But, I'm hoping that time will come at some point." Carpenter faces considerable competition for the 15 Freddie Steward started both wins over Argentina earlier in the tour, while, in addition to Furbank and Smith, injured Lion Elliot Daly and Henry Arundell, back in England contention after moving to Bath, can also play the 23-year-old believes he is well suited to the attacking, opportunistic style that England want to play."For me there's a lot on kick return and beating the first man, which is a big focus here - getting the boys on the front foot," he said."That's massive. And also being that edge connection that gets the ball to the wingers. We have got Cadan [Murley] and Manny [Immanuel Feyi-Waboso] this weekend who are absolutely flying. I want those boys to get the ball."I get on with Freddie really well. It's great when that's the case because you can compete together, learn together and get better together."Freddie is an aerial beast, isn't he? That has been an area of my game over the past three years that I've been trying to match to his because obviously that's one of one of his USPs."And also how he carries the ball and his defensive work in the backfield - his positioning is always spot on." Even with Roebuck rested, Sale are the best-represented club in England's XV in Washington with fly-half George Ford and props Bevan Rodd and Asher Opoku-Fordjour alongside Curry is on the bench and, behind the scenes, Sale's defence coach Byron McGuigan and physio Nav Sandhu have been seconded to England's staff this lost to Steward's Leicester in the Premiership semi-finals in June, the fourth time in the past five seasons that they have reached the play-offs."I think that representation kind of reflects the last few seasons at Sale really," Carpenter added."All the lads and all the coaches have been fantastic here, but it is really good that we've got such a good crew of Sale boys here."Next year for us it is about how we can keep that consistency throughout the year and I think it will show with the boys here and the boys we have signed."Sale pair Tom Curry and Luke Cowan-Dickie are touring with the Lions this summer, while Raffi Quirke and Rekeiti Ma'asi-White are on England's fringes and second row Ben Bamber and hooker Nathan Jibulu have been involved with England A.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Nick Champion de Crespigny to make his Wallabies debut in opening Test against British and Irish Lions
Flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny will make his Test debut for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, but there is no room in the 23-man squad for veteran flyhalf James O'Connor. Canberra product Champion de Crespigny, 29, only this year debuted in Super Rugby for Western Force after spending the previous three seasons playing for French Top 14 club Castres Olympique. His inclusion, at the expense of the dropped Langi Gleeson, is one of four changes to the team that started in Australia's last-start 21-18 win over Fiji on July 6. Coach Joe Schmidt had picked seven players with less than 15 Tests experiences, five with less than eight, and debutant de Crespigny in the starting line-up as the regeneration of the national team continues. But key big men Will Skelton and Rob Valetini were both ruled out due to injury. Flyhalf Tom Lynagh will replace the injured Noah Lolesio, becoming the first Wallabies player to follow in their father's footsteps in playing against the Lions after his did Michael also wore the No.10 Australian jersey against the tourists in 1989. Lynagh will be partnered in the halves by Jake Gordon, with Tate McDermott dropping back to the bench. The other change is at hooker, where Matt Faessler comes in for the injured David Porecki. Ben Donaldson will be the back-up flyhalf, winning the bench spot ahead of O'Connor, who was called into Australia's extended 36-man series squad last week as the replacement of Lolesio, who had neck surgery after Australia's win over Fiji. No.8 Harry Wilson has retained the captaincy, while veteran prop James Slipper will have the rare distinction of playing in two series against the Lions after also representing Australia against the British and Irish outfit in 2013. Schmidt predicted a 'massive challenge' for his team. 'The whole squad has worked hard as a group to prepare for what's going to a massive challenge against an in-form Lions team,' Schmidt said. 'With the short runway leading up to such a big Test match, we know we must adapt fast and improve quickly, from the performance we had against Fiji recently. 'We're very much aware of the occasion and conscious of earning the support from the public through the effort they see on the field.' Wallabies: James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (c), Jake Gordon, Tom Lynagh, Harry Potter, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright. Bench:
Times
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Times
Fergus Burke earns debut as Scotland make 14 changes for Fiji Test
Gregor Townsend has hailed Fergus Burke's physicality and defensive work after naming the Saracens fly-half in the Scotland squad to play Fiji in Suva on Saturday. The 25-year-old's Test debut comes at the end of a seven-month involvement with the national squad that began with a call-up for this year's Six Nations. Although he did not play in the Championship, the New Zealander, who qualifies for Scotland thanks to an Edinburgh-born grandfather, impressed the national coach enough to win a place on the three-game Pacific tour. He came off the bench in last week's win over the Maori All Blacks, and Townsend expects him to play a leading role in defence as well as in attack against the Fijians. 'There's a lot of things to like about Fergus's game,' Townsend said after announcing a starting line-up showing 14 changes from the Maori match. 'He's been excellent this year for Saracens, and he's shown that on tour. He's been in really good form and impressed us at training.
The Independent
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Centre Luke Northmore to make England debut in otherwise unchanged team for second Argentina clash
Centre Luke Northmore will start for England on Test debut in an otherwise unchanged side named by Steve Borthwick for the second Test against Argentina. A George Ford -inspired England impressed in beating the Pumas in the opening encounter in La Plata, but lost Henry Slade to a tour-ending injury, forcing Borthwick to tweak his midfield combination. Northmore, a reliable performer for Harlequins over several seasons and long-term squad member under Borthwick, has got the nod ahead of fellow potential debutants Oscar Beard and Max Ojomoh to partner Seb Atkinson, who made his debut last week, in the centres. The matchday 23 is otherwise unchanged, with Borthwick taking a gamble by eschewing specialist fly half cover for Ford on the bench even after losing the versatile Slade. Starting scrum half Ben Spencer would therefore appear in line to step in should misfortune strike England's No 10. 'Saturday's match in San Juan is another great challenge,' said Borthwick. 'The players have trained with real focus and intensity this week, determined to keep improving in every area. We're expecting a tactical battle as well as a tough, physical contest, and everyone is excited for what should be a fantastic Test match.' England will hope to seal a 2-0 series victory against Argentina before concluding their summer business against the United States in Washington DC next week. Pablo Matera, meanwhile, will become the most-capped Puma in history as the back row wins his 111th international cap. Home coach Felipe Contepomi has made three changes to his backline with wings Matias Moroni and Ignacio Mendy coming into the side to form a back three with Benjamin Elizalde. Simon Benitez Cruz also returns to scrum half to partner fly half Santiago Carreras, with the centre pairing made up of Justo Piccardo and Lucio Cinti. Matera's move to number eight means Santiago Grondona is promoted from the bench to start, with Juan Martin Gonzalez the other flanker. Guido Petti and Pedro Rubiolo are in the second row. Matera takes over from former hooker Agustin Creevy as Argentina's most capped player of all time. Hooker Julian Montoya will captain the side again and has props Thomas Gallo and Francisco Gomez Kodela either side of him. Argentina XV to face England in San Juan (Saturday 12 July, 8.40pm BST): 1 Thomas Gallo, 2 Julian Montoya (capt.), 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela; 4 Guido Petti, 5 Pedro Rubiolo; 6 Santiago Grondona, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 8 Pablo Matera; 9 Simon Benitez Cruz, 10 Santiago Carreras; 11 Ignacio Mendy, 12 Justo Piccardo, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Matias Moroni; 15 Benjamin Elizalde. Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconi, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Pedro Delgado, 19 Lucas Paulos, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Benjamin Grondona, 22 Augustin Moyano, 23 Nicolas Roger. England XV: 1 Fin Baxter, 2 Jamie George (co-capt.), 3 Joe Heyes; 4 Charlie Ewels, 5 Alex Coles; 6 Ben Curry, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Tom Willis; 9 Ben Spencer, 10 George Ford (co-capt.); 11 Will Muir, 12 Seb Atkinson, 13 Luke Northmore, 14 Tom Roebuck; 15 Freddie Steward.
