Information on Loughborough

Students to take on England Under-20 in World Champ warm-up

Posted on 07/05/2009

Loughborough University Website

Students to take on England Under-20 in World Champ warm-up

Loughborough Students will play England’s under-20 rugby team next Wednesday (13 May) as the national side makes its final preparations for next month’s IRB Junior World Championship in Japan.

The match kick starts England’s week-long training camp at the University and provides a valuable warm-up fixture for a side looking to improve on their second place finish at last year’s Championship.

For Loughborough the match marks the climax of an impressive season that has seen them finish in the top half of National Three North in their first year at that level.

“The match is a great opportunity for our lads to test themselves against the best players in the country,” said Loughborough director of rugby Alan Buzza. “All the players in the England side are professional players with Premiership experience. It’s a big challenge but we’re hoping a vocal home crowd will get behind us and urge the team on.”

England Under-20 head coach Mark Mapletoft, a former Loughborough sports science student, named his 26-man squad last week which included eight returning players who lost out to New Zealand in the 2008 final.

“This is an exciting squad to be involved with and we have the talent, experience and ambition in the group to mount a really strong challenge for the world title in Japan this summer,” said Mapletoft.

“Everyone in the squad for this tournament has made an impact in the Premiership this season or on dual-registration with National League clubs and that made selecting a squad of 26 a very tough task.”

Next Wednesday’s match kicks off at 7.30pm on the University 1st XV pitch. Gates open at 5.30pm with the community BOOST match starting at 6.30pm.

Tickets cost £8 per person or £20 for a family ticket for up to two adults and two children. Students and staff can buy tickets at the discounted rate of £6. The match is being played in memory of Loughborough student Dan James with donations going to Spinal Research.

Advance tickets can be bought at the University’s Sports Reception in person or by calling 01509 226250.