Sean retains his England Counties Place
PGRFC are delighted with the news that our full back and Rugby Community Coach Sean Taylor has been re-selected for the England Counties squad for their upcoming match with a France Federale XV on Friday 31st January at Nevers.
Sean was previously capped by the Counties on last season’s tour of Belgium but this represents a step up in opposition against a French side drawn from the semi professional ranks of the ultra competitive French league system. He is one of 13 previous caps whilst there are 8 newcomers to the squad as England look to follow up last season’s victory over the same opposition at Ealing.
The team will be captained by Wharfedale No 8 Rob Baldwin, who led the Counties on their tour of East Africa two years ago. The side is coached by Steve Pope and James Shanahan having previously been led by former Hoppers Head Coach Dave Baldwin and his successor Jan Bonney.
The Counties XV, the representative flagship of the community game in England, will assemble on January 28 and train twice on January 29 before they travel to France on Eurostar the following day. The Counties XV will then play the Ireland Clubs XV at the Northern Echo Arena, home of Darlington Mowden Park on February 21 (7.30pm).
England Counties XV squad v France Federale XV:
Backs: Jack Adams (Cinderford), Richard Bolt (Exmouth), Chris Briers (Fylde), Chris Johnson (Fylde), Cameron Mitchell (Darlington Mowden Park), Kiba Richards (Worthing), Sean Taylor (Preston Grasshoppers), Jim Wigglesworth (Cambridge).
Forwards: Rob Baldwn (Wharfedale – captain), Jamal Ford-Robinson (Cambridge), Ben Hilton (Launceston), Robbie Kalbriaer (Blaydon), Alex MacKenzie (Rosslyn Park), Brett McNamee (Old Albanians), Johnny Matthews (Sedgley Park), Alex Penney (Henley), Pierce Phillips (Darlington Mowden Park), Sam Shires (Rosslyn Park), Robbie Stapley (Henley), Tom Stradwick (Blackheath), Chris Wearmouth (Blaydon).
Director or Rugby Gareth Dyer said “We are immensely proud of Sean and his re-selection is just reward for his dedication and commitment to improving his game. He’s come back strongly from a few injury niggles this season and he was outstanding on the end of season tour to Belgium. I’m sure the opposition will present a sterner challenge but I have no doubts that Sean will meet that challenge head on”.
Sean was the third Hopper to represent England Counties last year and followed in the footsteps of Olly Viney and Tom Hughes.
Good luck Sean!!!
