Jump to Main ContentJump to Primary Navigation
leicestertigers.comMattioli Woods Welford RoadContact UsTopps Tiles
News

Gillanders earns World Championship spot

Figure image
Tigers second-row forward Gregor Gillanders has been named in the England squad for the IRB Under-19 World Championships in Belfast in April.

England, who have a final warm-up game against France at Henley on Saturday, have named a 26-man squad coached by Nigel Redman and Mark Mapletoft.

The squad includes six of the players who helped England to a best-ever third place at last year's tournament in Dubai - captain Hugo Ellis (London Wasps), Ben Thomas (Saracens), Andy Saull (Saracens), Richard Bolt (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Simpson (London Wasps) and Adam Greendale (Leeds Tykes).

Former Bath, England and Lions lock Redman is looking forward to seeing his players rise to the challenge of improving on last year's performance.

England face group games against Samoa, Argentina and New Zealand before the knock-out stages that climax in the finals day on April 21.

"Going to a World Championship is a big step up from club level as we face five games in three-and-a-half weeks and it'll be fascinating to see how they cope in that situation," Redman said.

England open their campaign against Samoa at Shaw's Bridge on April 5 (7.30pm), then face Argentina at Belfast Harlequins on April 9 (7.30pm) and last year's runners-up New Zealand at Ravenhill on April 13 (5.30pm).

England Under-19 squad

Backs:

Tom Bedford (Exeter Chiefs)
Miles Benjamin (Worcester Warriors)
Richard Bolt (Exeter Chiefs)
Noah Cato (Saracens)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Adam Greendale (Leeds Tykes & Hymers College)
Gareth Griffiths (Bristol Rugby)
Greg King (Worcester Warriors & Hartpury College)
Danny Pointon (Northampton Saints)
Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
David Smith (Northampton Saints)
Alex Tait (Newcastle Falcons)

Forwards:

Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby)
Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)
Matt Cox (Worcester Warriors)
Garth Dew (Sale Sharks)
Hugo Ellis (London Wasps)
Jon Fisher (London Irish & Wellington College)
Scott Freer (Leeds Tykes)
Gregor Gillanders (Leicester Tigers)
Scott Hobson (Cornish Pirates)
Billy Moss (Bath Rugby)
Andy Saull (Saracens)
Jack Steadman (Bristol Rugby)
Ben Thomas (Saracens)
Joe Williams (Gloucester Rugby)