England students name squad for Portugal clash

England students have named their 23-man squad to take on Portugal’s national team in Lisbon on Saturday.
More than 50 students from 20 universities across England and Wales were nominated for a trial on December 16 while a second set of trials with an Extended Squad of 42 players was held early in the New Year.
“The depth and skill of players across the trial process was again high, testament to the university programmes they are involved in,” said Head Coach Aaron James.
“We are confident we have selected a strong squad of 23 players for the big challenge of the Portugal National side. We are looking forward to working with a good bunch of guys.”
Of the 23-man squad, George Messum (Oxford), Freddie Clarke (Bath), Rob Coote (Exeter), Ruaridh McConnochie (Gloucester), Callum O’Connell (Hartpury), Alec Clarey (Hartpury) and Lovejoy Chatawtama (UWE) have all been capped for England Students against Portugal.
The same fixture last year saw England Students beat Portugal 30-16.
“We have an exciting bunch of boys who we feel are capable of strong set-piece balance with being mobile around the pitch,” said Forwards Coach Ian Davies.
“We hope to play a style of rugby similar to what they are used to at their Universities in a challenging international environment.”
The starting XV will be named on Friday.
England Students squad: Piers Goodwill (Newcastle), Alec Clarey (Hartpury), Alex Westgarth (Northumbria), Lovejoy Chawatama (UWE), Callum O’Connell (Hartpury), Philip Dickinson (Loughborough), Morgan Robinson-Eames (Bishops Burton), Duncan Hales (Exeter), George Messum (Oxford), Joe Dancer (UWE), Sebastian Nagle-Taylor (University Coll London), Freddie Clarke (Bath), Buchan Richardson (Durham), Tom Banks (Newcastle), Rob Coote (Exeter), Will Cargill (Leeds Beckett), Freddie Gabbitas (Exeter), George Boulton (Hartpury), Lewis Jones, Luke Peters (both Leeds Beckett), Alex O’Meara (Hartpury), Jack Rossiter (St Mary’s), Ruaridh McConnochie (Gloucestershire).