England Saxons v Scotland A: Kyle Eastmond handed first start

Bath’s Kyle Eastmond and Semesa Rokoduguni will make their England Saxons debuts against Scotland A in Glasgow on Friday.

Centre Eastmond, who has two senior caps, and winger Rokoduguni start in midfield along with fellow newcomers Adam Thompstone and Dan Robson.

Forwards Dave Ward, Scott Wilson, Elliott Stooke and Sam Dickinson also make their first starts.

Eastmond’s England career

Former Rugby League player Kyle Eastmond earned two caps for the senior England squad in the two-Test series in Argentina last summer.

All four were replacements in the

8-4 defeat by Ireland Wolfhounds.

Bath’s Anthony Watson scored England’s only try in Saturday’s game, while Gloucester’s Freddie Burns landed a penalty in the second half.

Joe Lydon, the RFU head of international player development, said: “We have an exciting young squad of real potential with new Saxons caps for Semesa Rokoduguni, Adam Thompstone and Dan Robson, all of whom continue to play consistently well for their respective clubs.

“We are under no illusion how tough it will be for us in Glasgow against Scotland A, who’ve done well against us at this level in recent years, but our players have a lot of talent, endeavour and a willingness to work for each other to build on their club form.”

England Saxons:


Rob Miller (Sale Sharks), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby), Elliot Daly (London Wasps), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), Adam Thompstone (Leicester Tigers), Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), Dan Robson (Gloucester Rugby), Alex Waller (Northampton Saints), Dave Ward (Harlequins), Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons), Elliott Stooke (Gloucester Rugby), George Kruis (Saracens), Calum Clark (Northampton Saints, capt), Luke Wallace (Harlequins), Sam Dickinson (Northampton Saints).

Replacements:


Jamie George (Saracens), Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby), Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby).

Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/432567/O-Shea-impressed-by-Sarries

England Saxons v Scotland A: Kyle Eastmond handed first start