Photo: Tommy Phillips in action for Cornwall against Berkshire last season
Following a trial session before Christmas, the Under 20 squad have trained for a number of weeks. In preparation for the Championship they played a friendly against Devon U20 at Launceston RFC on the 22 January winning 33 – 19. Their first game in the Championship this year will against Berkshire at Camborne RFC, with a 2 pm kick off.
CRFU President Peter James said “This is the first game at this level for some of the team and they start with a tough game trying to avenge last year’s defeat up at Sonning I want to thank the coaching team of, Mike Rawlings, Bryn Jenkins, and Matt Shepherd. Also we must not forget the medics, backroom staff and team manager Chris Lea for their work in pulling together the team. I also offer my congratulations to Will Gilder of St Austell RFC who has been appointed the captain for the coming season”.
Speaking about his appointment newly appointed captain Will Gilder said. “I am honoured to have been asked to captain the Cornwall U20 team this season. Pulling on the shirt means an awful lot to us guys and being made captain is the icing on the cake. Berkshire are a side that beat us last year and we know they will come down here with a strong squad so we need to be on top of our game for 80 minutes, to come away with a result.
Gilder plays his club rugby for St Austell RFC, and is in his second season with the U20. He will be in good company with five other Saints in the starting line up.
Cornwall faces two other games in the group stage during February and March, depending on results, with the quarterfinals being played at the end of March.
Coach Mike Rawlings said. “There have been a lot of changes in the squad from last year and we have a number of guys who will be with us for a further one or two seasons, it will be a steep learning curve for some at this new level. It is testament to the guys who have trained on Sunday mornings; it is never easy after games for their own clubs on the Saturday. They have trained hard and know they face a difficult task, but they will be extremely proud to pull on the famous black and gold shirt of Cornwall. ”
Cornwall also face Gloucestershire on Sunday 26 February at Redruth RFC, before a final pool stage game away against newly promoted Hampshire at Overton RFC on Sunday 19 March 2017.
CRFU Chair Denis Preece said. “This is the first opportunity for some of these players to represent Cornwall at senior level. A number of the players, who have gone before them, have gone on to represent the full County 15 and some have played at Twickenham!! Last season Tommy Phillips through his performances with Cornwall was selected not only for the England Counties U20 squad but was made vice-captain. I would ask that the good folk of Cornwall come out and support the young Cornwall players”
Cornwall Under 20 team manager Chris Lea said; – “This squad is a mixture of players from last season, new players nominated from clubs and guys who have progressed through the Under 18 age group. We have had fantastic numbers coming forward this season and it is testament to the ground work we have put in over the past 5 years. It is great to see these guys getting progression through the County system and a number of former players are now playing at Premiership and Championship level, as well as clubs within Cornwall”
CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 TEAM V BERKSHIRE
SUNDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2017 @ CAMBORNE RFC 2 PM KO
1) ADAM WRIGHT REDRUTH RFC
2) MATT HEALEY TRURO RFC
3) LEWIS LEE ST AUSTELL RFC
4) MATT SCOTT SALTASH RFC
5) CORY TEAGUE WADEBRIDGE CAMELS RFC
6) CAM SAYER CAMBORNE RFC
7) WILL GILDER (Captain) ST. AUSTELL RFC
8) MAX DUGGAN ST. AUSTELLRFC
9) NOAH NASH BRIXHAM RFC
10) CALLUM BOYCE ST. AUSTELL RFC
11) ETHAN TYLER TRURO RFC
12) TOM SANDERCOCK LAUNCESTON RFC
13) DECLAN MATTHEWS REDRUTH RFC
14) CAVAN BOYER ST. AUSTELL RFC
15) TOBY ROBINSON ST. AUSTELL RFC
Replacements:
16) JAMES BISHOP ST. IVES RFC
17) KIERON VINSON TRURO RFC
18) JACK OSBORNE LAUNCESTON RFC
19) HARRY SMITH WADEBRIDGE CAMELS RFC
20) SEB FIRTH FALMOUTH RFC
21) REUBEN EDWARDS LAUNCESTON RFC
22) HARVEY JONES UNATTACHED
Travelling reserves:-
23) CALLUM HAYNE ST. AUSTELL RFC
24) MATT BLEE CAMBORNE RFC
25) AARON VINSON LANKELLY FOWEY RFC
26) CALLUM DEWSON LAUNCESTON RFC
Cornwall name side to face Berkshire.
Coaches – Mike Rawlings, Bryn Jenkins, Matt Shepherd
Team Manager – Chris Lea
