England in talks about reviving developmental SAXONS side ahead of potential fixture against Scotland this summer… with RFU director of performance rugby Conor O’Shea keen to revive the pathway team
- England Saxons have not played for five years but plans are in place this year
- The RFU are keen to create a platform to allow more games to blood young talent
- England’s summer tour of the USA could be switched to the UK for Covid reasons
- Conor O’Shea wants to revive pathway team to give younger players a chance
England are in talks about reviving the Saxons setup for a fixture against Scotland this summer.
The developmental side has not played for five years but plans are afoot to create more games to blood young English talent.
This summer’s tour of the USA could be switched to the UK because of Covid issues – and the series could tie in with the proposed game against Scotland.
England are in talks about reviving the Saxons setup for a fixture against Scotland this summer
‘There are discussions around playing England in a friendly, whether it is a development or an A game,’ confirmed Scotland coach Gregor Townsend.
‘I am hoping that in the next two or three weeks we will be able to put some fixtures together.
‘We don’t know who are playing…. Georgia, Romania, Spain are options. Japan are playing the Lions. There are discussions around that.’
Conor O’Shea, the RFU’s director of performance rugby, is keen to revive the pathway team
Conor O’Shea, the RFU’s director of performance rugby, is keen to revive the pathway team.
‘The summer tour, without the Lions players, means it is a junior sort of year,’ said O’Shea.
‘When you see also that the World Under 20s has not happened, it is essential to have the Under 20s Six Nations this summer. That is a huge part of pathway to see who can adapt out of their comfort zone.’