Cambridge Interim Head Coach Anthony Allen has named his first squad in charge of Cambridge Rugby’s Championship squad as they prepare to face England U20s in a prestige friendly at Ellgia Fields.
Here’s Anthony:
As an England Under 20s attack coach from back in 2018, I am really looking forward to my first game in interim charge of Cambridge, against such illustrious opposition. It’s a really exciting prospect. We’re privileged to be so historically well connected to the national side. Our current squad has several previously capped Men’s Pathway players, including Archie Vanes, Will Glister, Jack Bartlett, Zach Nearchou, Billy Walker, Louis Grimoldby and Josh Skelcey. My time with the Under 20s coincided with that of former Cambridge Mini & Youth Fraser Dingwall – and of course, Saracens & England star Alex Goode, and Bath captain Ben Spencer have trodden that path too.
Prop Oli Scola, who’s been part of our squad in recent weeks, will be wearing the Red Rose. And – when you add in the likes of recent Northampton Saints loan players such as George Furbank, Alex Moon and Alex Coles, plus our former junior fly half Will Hooley – the Club has been a big part of the Pathway over the years.
It’s tremendous to be asked to help with the England Under 20s’ preparations for their 6 Nations. They are, of course, the current Six Nations and World Rugby U20 Championship title holders and we are very much looking forward to testing ourselves against them. There will be a good number of future full internationals in their squad and it will be fascinating to watch their progress over the next few years.
We have this game, and fixtures against London Scottish and Caldy ahead of us to re-set ourselves before an enforced break and then the rest of the season. We’re looking forward to showing everyone what we can do as a team and a squad. It’s really important that we target our focus on these three games and the rest of this month.
Prop Billy Walker returns to the squad this weekend – Iestyn Rees is still rehabbing from a shoulder injury. Archie Vanes starts and Joseph Gaffan is set to debut off the bench.
Cambridge Line Up:
15-Joe Tarrant 14-Will Glister 13- Sam Hanks 12- Ollie Betteridge 11- Eli Caven 10-Louis Grimoldby (C) 9- Ruaridh Dawson 1- Zac Nearchou 2- Archie Vanes 3- Jake Bridges 4- Kayde Sylvester 5- Gareth Baxter 6- Ben Adams 7- Jared Cardew 8- Jack Bartlett 16- Ben Brownlie 17- Jake Ellwood 18 -Billy Walker 19- George Bretag Norris 20- Joseph Gaffan 21- Joe Green 22- Matt Williams 23- Matt Hema 24 – Pete White