Other June Tests 2013

[JSRF10]

Thought it would be good to have a thread for the other international tours happening this June. France travel to play BNZ, England go to Argentina & Uruguay, Wales are off to Japan, Italy and Scotland go to SA and Ireland go to North America. There is also a tournament in Georgia between Ireland A, Georgia and SA A. These games are always a nice distraction to the serious business. The France BNZ games will be a great warm up to some of the Lions games. Argentina have a great chance to knock over a weakened England, who've left Chris Robshaw out of their touring party altogether!

Ireland named their two squads for their tours overnight. Bit disappointed that they've named Best and Ross, they both could have done with the summer off. Looking forward to seeing the likes of Marmion, Olding and O'Donnell in an Irish jersey. Also look out for Dan Tuohy, I'm a massive fan of his he is a great footballer and very good in the loose. Declan Kidney wasn't a fan but I'm hoping that Schmidt gives him an opportunity.


Ireland squad for North American Tour
Rory Best (Ulster), Isaac Boss (Leinster), Darren Cave (Ulster), Tom Court (Ulster), Declan Fitzpatrick (Ulster), Jamie Hagan (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Felix Jones (Munster), David Kilcoyne (Munster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Paul Marshall (Ulster), Mike McCarthy (Connacht), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Kevin McLaughlin (Leinster), Tommy O'Donnell (Munster), Stuart Olding (Ulster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Mike Sherry (Munster), Richardt Strauss (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster), Simon Zebo (Munster).
Emerging Ireland squad
Michael Allen (Ulster), Michael Bent (Leinster), Andrew Conway (Leinster), John Cooney (Leinster), Sean Cronin (Leinster), David Foley (Munster), Eoin Griffin (Connacht), Cathal Marsh (unattached), Michael Heaney (Ulster), Rob Herring (Ulster), Dave Kearney (Leinster), Ian Keatley (Munster), Ricky Lutton (Ulster), Brendan Macken (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Eoin McKeon (Connacht), Martin Moore (Leicester), Jordi Murphy (Leinster), Ian Nagle (Munster), Robbie Diack (Ulster), Tiernan O'Halloran (Connacht), Rhys Ruddock (Leinster), Dominic Ryan (Leinster), John Ryan (Munster), Lewis Stevenson (Ulster).
The England squad is below:

Forwards
Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)
Rob Buchanan (Harlequins, uncapped)
Calum Clark (Northampton Saints, uncapped) Alex Corbisiero (London Irish, 18 caps)
Paul Doran Jones (Northampton, 4 caps)
Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors, uncapped) Joe Launchbury (London Wasps, 9 caps) Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 20 caps) Joe Marler (Harlequins, 10 caps)
Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, 10 caps) David Paice (London Irish, 6 caps)
Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Billy Vunipola (London Wasps, uncapped)
Rob Webber (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 26 caps)
Tom Wood (Northampton, captain, 18 caps) ​

Backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins, 16 caps)
Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Ben Foden (Northampton Saints, 30 caps)
Alex Goode (Saracens, 11 caps)
Jonathan Joseph (London Irish, 4 caps)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped) David Strettle (Saracens, 13 caps)
Joel Tomkins (Saracens, uncapped)
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 4 caps) Christian Wade (London Wasps, uncapped) Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 12 caps) Marland Yarde (London Irish, uncapped) ​

France have also named their squad for the Darkness:​

Forwards: Eddy Ben Arous (Racing Metro), Vincent Debaty (Clermont), Thomas Domingo (Clermont), Guilhem Guirado (Perpignan), Benjamin Kayser (Clermont), Dimitri Szarzewski (Racing Metro), Luc Ducalcon (Clermont ), Daniel Kotze (Clermont), Nicolas Mas (Perpignan), Alexandre Flanquart Stadium (French), Yoann Maestri (Toulouse), Christophe Samson (Castres), Sébastien Vahaamahina (Perpignan), Yannick Nyanga (Toulouse), Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier) Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse, cap.), Bernard Le Roux (Racing Metro), Antonie Claassen (Castres), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse).
Backs: Maxime Machenaud (Racing-Metro), Morgan Parra (Clermont), Frederic Michalak (Toulon), Camille Lopez (Bordeaux-Begles), Rémi Talès (Castres), Bastareaud (Toulon), Gael Fickou (Toulouse) Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Florian Fritz (Toulouse), Maxime Mermoz (Toulon), Maxime Medard (Toulouse), Noa Nakaitaci (Clermont), Alexis Palisson (Toulon), Adrien Plante (Perpignan), Brice Dulin (Castres), Yoann Huget (Touloluse).
And the Wales squad for their tour is below. Can't seem to find the other touring parties but when I do I'll post them.

Backs: S Shingler (London Irish), T Prydie (Newport Gwent Dragons), H Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets), D Howells (Ospreys), J Spratt (Ospreys), O Williams (Cardiff Blues), A Beck (Ospreys), S Williams (Scarlets), D Biggar (Ospreys), R Priestland (Scarlets), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), T Knoyle (Scarlets), A Davis (Scarlets).​

Forwards: R Bevington (Ospreys), R Gill (Saracens), S Hobbs (Cardiff Blues), S Andrews (Cardiff Blues), C Mitchell (Exeter), R Jones (Scarlets), K Owens (Scarlets), E Phillips (Scarlets), S Baldwin (Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), L Reed (Cardiff Blues), A Coombs (Newport Gwent Dragons), J King (Ospreys), A Shingler (Scarlets), D Baker (Ospreys), R McCusker (Scarlets), A Pretorius (Cardiff Blues), J Navidi (Cardiff Blues).​

​

 

[FingalRaven]

Can we say that if the Lions need to call up replacements they will come from the Touring Squads above rather than those not injured that were given the summer off? So no chance of Robshaw, Ashton, Flood, Hook, Max Evans getting a call?

Scotland squad

For quadrangular tournament with South Africa, Samoa and Italy (8-22 June 2013):
Backs A Dunbar (Glasgow), T Heathcote (Bath), P Horne (Glasgow), R Jackson (Glasgow), G Laidlaw (Edinburgh), S Lamont (Glasgow), P Murchie (Glasgow), H Pyrgos (Glasgow), M Scott (Edinburgh), T Seymour (Glasgow), D Taylor (Saracens), G Tonks (Edinburgh), T Visser (Edinburgh).
Forwards J Barclay (Glasgow), J Beattie (Montpellier), K Brown (Saracens, capt), G Cross (Edinburgh), D Denton (Edinburgh), A Dickinson (Sale), R Ford (Edinburgh), G Gilchrist (Edinburgh), R Grant (Glasgow), J Hamilton (Gloucester), A Kellock (Glasgow), S Lawrie (Edinburgh), M Low (Glasgow), P MacArthur (Glasgow), E Murray (Worcester), A Strokosch (Perpignan), T Swinson (Glasgow), R Wilson (Glasgow).

 

[JSRF10]

I think thats probably the only reason Ross and Best are with Ireland, both are probably first choice replacements in their positions so makes more sense to have them playing games than going on the beer

 

[FingalRaven]

England play a CONSUR XV in Uruguay, not sure if they are awarding caps for that. The last time CONSUR played they lost 75-15 to Argentina so should be a walk in the park for the Roast Beef.

Argentina have Conteponi in there squad, it will be his send off but not sure how match fit he is considering Toulon deregistered him earlier this year.

Argentina June Squad: Belisario Agulla , Gabriel Ascarate, Rodrigo Baez, Martín Bustos Moyano, Maximiliano Bustos, Tomás Carrio, Felipe Contepomi, Tomás Cubelli, Tomás De la Vega, Julio Farias Cabello, Mariano Glarza, Martín Garcia Veiga, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Mauricio Guidone, Pablo Henn, Martín Landajo, Tomas Leonardi, Esteban Lozada, Benjamín Macome, Benjamín Madero, Manuel Montero, Matías Orlando, Bruno Postiglioni, Guillermo Roan, Gonzalo Tiesi, Benjamin Urdapilleta, Tomás Vallejos Cinalli, Nicolás Vergallo.

 

[USARugger]

Not sure how I feel about Felipe getting selected..he is quite old and hasn't been playing top-grade rugby recently.

Parra did not look so good in the HC final.

 

[JSRF10]

USARugger any word on the USA team? Any players we should look out for?

 

[FingalRaven]

Japan squad to play Wales:

Forwards: Yusuke Nagae, Masataka Mikami, Takuma Asahara, Shota Horie, Takeshi Kizu, Yusuke Aoki, Hiroki Yuhara, Hiroshi Yamashita, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Shoji Ito, Hitoshi Ono, Shinya Makabe, Justin Ives, Ryuta Yasui, Michael Broadhurst, Michael Leitch, Hendrik Tui, Takashi Kikutani, Ryu Koliniasi Holani.

Backs: Atsushi Hiwasa, Fumiaki Tanaka, Keisuke Uchida, Kosei Ono, Yu Tamura, Harumichi Tatekawa, Craig Wing, Ryoto Nakamura, Male Sau, Seiichi Shimomura, Yoshikazu Fujita, Toshiaki Hirose, Yuta Imamura, Hirotoki Onozawa, Kenki Fukuoka, Ayumu Goromarud.
Italy squad to play in South Africa Tournament:

Forwards: Matias Aguero, Martin Castrogiovanni, Lorenzo Cittadini, Alberto De Marchi, Michele Rizzo, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Davide Giazzon, Andrea Manici, Valerio Bernabo, Marco Bortolami, Joshua Furno, Antonio Pavanello, Robert Barbieri, Mauro Bergamasco, Francesco Minto, Sergio Parisse, Manoa Vosawai, Alessandro Zanni

Backs: Tobias Botes, Alberto Chillon, Edoardo Gori, Alberto Di Bernardo, Luciano Orquera, Gonzalo Canale, Gonzalo Garcia, Luca Morisi, Alberto Sgarbi, Tommaso Iannone, Andrea Masi, Luke McLean, Leonardo Sarto, Giovanbattista Venditti
Samoan squad to tour South Africa:

Fowards: Tii Paulo, Wayne Ole Avei, Manu Leiataua, Census Johnston, Logovii Mulipola, Sakaria Taulafo, James Johnston, Kane Thompson, Iosefa Tekori, Daniel Leo, Teofilo Paulo, Taiasina Tuifua, Alafoti Faosiliva, Ofisa Treviranus, Jack Lam, Maurie Faasavalu, Faalemiga Selesele

Backs: Kahn Fotualii, Jeremy Sua, Auvasa Falealii, Tusiata Pisi, Ki Anufe, George Pisi, Johnny Leota, Isaia Tuifua, Brandon Vaaulu, Alesana Tuilagi, Alapati Leiua, Robert Lilomaiava, Paul Williams, James Sooialo

Tour fixtures:

Saturday, June 8 (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit): Scotland v Samoa; Springboks v Italy

Saturday, June 15 (Mr Price Kings Park, Durban): Samoa v Italy; Springboks v Scotland

Saturday, June 22 (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria): Team 3 v Team 4 ; Team 1 v Team 2

 

[USARugger]

Eric Fry (Prop) - Former Cal-Berkeley blindside flanker turned prop and captain, has been playing some domestic rugby in NZ and is reported to be largely improved. Hopefully he is as we was very poor previously and the front row is one area which the Irish will be targeting heavily.

Cam Dolan (Lock/Flanker/Wing) - Captain of the Life University college side and an incredibly athletic 6'6" figure which absolutely dominates in the air. One of the top line out jumpers currently playing in the USA. Has recently been playing on the wing for Life but belongs in the pack as the blindside or loose head lock.

Shawn Davies (Scrumhalf) - South African born Davies has been a huge part of the dominant BYU side which has won back to back national championships now. Has a great rugby brain, crisp pass, big boot, and very quick feet with some serious speed to back himself. Also a very accomplished goal kicker. Mike Petri is out with injury so I expect Daviea to start at 9.

Seamus Kelly (American born) - former Cal Golden Bears captain he is a prodigally talented 13 and will likely be in the Eagles for a long time. Has a very well rounded skillet but rarely kicks the ball. A natural leader.

Blaine Scully - Former Cal fullback and current Eagles 7s prop Scully is a very big 15 with a nice boot. Not the fastest outside back in the world but has a deceptively elusive sidestep and a huge fend. Played superbly in his last few outings for the Eagles 7s team.

Like Hume - English born Hume is smaller but a solid defender and lightning fast and incredibly elusive. A 7s and 15s Eagle, Hume was a bit of a spark in the Eagles attack in many tests last year. He always looks dangerous with ball in hand.

Takudzu 'Z' Ngwenya (sp) - Another American with a foreign name Z is well known from his World Cup try against South Africa and his exploits for Top 14 side Biarritz. One of the fastest men in all of world rugby.

Todd Clever - Eagles Captain and first ever American to play in the Super Rugby competition when he debuted for the Golden Lions. Can slot in at any position in the back row but is not a natural 7. I expect to see him packing down at 8. Has been playing professionally in Japan for ages. The most well known American rugby player.

Lou Stanfill - Product of Trinity University, played for the Canberra Raiders as well as a few lower division Italian sides. Came home to help NYAC win a national championship and was in great form. Can play at 6/8/Lock.

Samu Manoa - Incredibly powerful and athletic Manoa is a cult hero in Northhampton. Has been one of the best Saints players for a bit now. A 6'6" 270lb monster he can pack at 8 or tight head lock. Has very good ball skills for a man his size and will also definitely introduce one of the new Irish boys to world rugby with a bone crunching tackle. He will be featuring for the Barbarians v. BIL alongside Z.
Ngwenya. Watch out for him.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

Preliminary Canada Squad and June - August Tests - it is a busy year for canada and this is the first set of tests since the formal opening of the Rugby Canada Centre of Excellence in Victoria B.C the COE is a purpose built rugby facility with training fields, a scrum training pitch and scrum machines, property weight room facilities, recovery centres and soon, accommodation for athletes. the 15s and 7s teams regularly meet up here throughout the year for intensive training sessions. I think it has paid off in leaps and bounds for the 7s team already.

Senior Men’s Players

Tyler Ardron, (Brantford Harlequins/ Ontario Blues) Lakefield, ON
Ray Barkwill, (Niagara, Oakville Crusaders/ Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON
Brett Beukeboom, (Plymouth Albion RFC) Lindsay, ON
Nick Blevins, (Calgary Hornets/ Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
Connor Braid, (Doncaster Knights/ Pacific Tyee) Victoria, BC
Hubert Buydens, (Saskatoon Wild Oats/ Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
Aaron Carpenter, Captain, (Cornish Pirates) Brantford, ON
Jamie Cudmore, (ASM Clermont Auvergne) Squamish, BC
Nanyak Dala, (Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
Thyssen de Goede, (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
Tom Dolezel, (London St. Georges/Ontario Blues) London, ON
Sean Duke, (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
Matt Evans, (Cornish Pirates) Duncan, BC
Aaron Flagg, (Abbotsford RFC/Pacific Tyee) Abbotsford, BC
Mike Fuailefau, (Castaway Wanderers RFC/Pacific Tyee) Victoria, BC
Micha Gorvichen, (Burnaby Lake RFC/Pacific Tyee) North Delta, BC
Ryan Hamilton, (Capilano RFC/Pacific Tyee) Vancouver, BC
Jeff Hassler, (Okotoks RFC/Prairie Wolf Pack) Okotoks, AB
Ciaran Hearn, (Castaway Wanderers/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay, NL
Tyler Hotson, (London Scottish FC) Vancouver, BC
Nathan Hirayama, (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Richmond, BC
Harry Jones, (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
Adam Kleeberger, (UVIC Vikes) White Rock, BC
Phil Mack, (UVIC Vikes/Pacific Tyee) Victoria, BC
Jamie Mackenzie, (UVIC Vikes/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
Phil Mackenzie, (London Welsh) Oakville, ON
Jason Marshall, (Atlantique Stade Rochelais/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
John Moonlight, (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
Chauncey O’Toole, (Bridgend Ravens/Atlantic Rock) Belleisle, NB
Pat Parfrey, (Swilers RFC/Atlantic Rock) St. John’s, NL
Taylor Paris, (Glasgow Warriors) Barrie, ON
Jon Phelan, (Ste-Anne-de-Bellvue/Atlantic Rock) Montreal, QC (Quade Cooper)
Cameron Pierce, (Section Paloise) Coldstream, BC
Benoit Piffero, (Burnaby Lake RFC/Atlantic Rock) Vancouver, BC
James Pritchard, (Bedford Blues) Parkes, Australia
Jebb Sinclair, (London Irish) Fredericton, NB
Andrew Tiedemann, (FC Auch Gers/Prairie Wolf Pack) St. Albert, AB
Conor Trainor, (Western University/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
Liam Underwood, (Queens University/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON
DTH van der Merwe, (Glasgow Warriors) Regina, SK
Sean White, (James Bay AA/Pacific Tyee) Victoria, BC
Eric Wilson, (Meralomas RFC) Vancouver, BC
Jordan Wilson-Ross, (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Alliston, ON
Doug Wooldridge, (Lindsay RFC/Ontario Blues) Lindsay, ON

Rugby Canada’s Summer International Schedule:

CANADA vs. USA
Saturday May 25th, 2013
Kick off @ 2:00 PM local time
Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton, AB

CANADA vs. FIJI
Wednesday, June 5th, 2013
Kick off @ 6:00 PM local time
Twin Elm Rugby Park, Ottawa, ON

CANADA vs. TONGA
Saturday, June 8th, 2013
Kick off @ 2:00 PM local time
Richardson Stadium, Queen's University, Kingston, ON

CANADA vs. IRELAND
Saturday, June 15th, 2013
Kick off @ 8:00 PM local time
BMO Field, Toronto, ON

JAPAN vs. CANADA
Wednesday, June 19th, 2013
Kick off @ 7:10pm local time
Mizuho Rugby Ground, Nagoya, Japan

USA vs. CANADA
World Cup Qualifier – Match #1
Saturday, August 17th, 2013
Kick off @ TBA
Charleston, South Carolina

CANADA vs. USA
World Cup Qualifier – Match #2
Saturday, August 24th, 2013
Kick off @ 4pm ET
BMO Field, Toronto, ON

this is a fantastic set of tests for canada. we haven't had such a busy summer in ages. i am hoping that my scheduled work trip back across the pond in August gets me down to Charleston for the game.

great to see diversity in locations in both canada and the states. neither Victoria nor Vancouer getting a test is disappointing, but the turnout at the last test (v georgia) in vancouver was very poor primariliy due to the opposition and the horrible venue choice (suburban vancouver).
victoria has been awarded the America's Rugby Championship for the second year in a row as the turnout was excellent (all games sold out)

 

[KevinO]

It's good to see such a busy test schedule for the likes of Canda, USA, Japan etc.

 

[qwerty51]

I reckon France will win the series against NZ.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Goodness me, IQ is going to get a hiding if these games are on Foxtel.

Any one have the inside information on who has broadcast rights to the games?

 

[hawktrain]

Canada hosting Ireland, one of the big rugby nations, is awesome.

 

[FingalRaven]

It's good to see such a busy test schedule for the likes of Canda, USA, Japan etc.

The New format Pacific Nations Cup seems a decent addition to the calendar but it does mean that Japan and Canada have only a 4 day turn around after playing Wales and Ireland before they meet each other in Tokyo.

It should be a competitive tournament now that Samoa the reigning champions are busy in South Africa.

IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2013 fixtures:

Saturday, May 25
Japan v Tonga
Canada v USA

Saturday, June 1
Fiji v Japan

Wednesday, June 5
Fiji v Canada (in Canada)

Saturday, June 8
Canada v Tonga

Saturday, June 15
USA v Tonga

Wednesday, June 19
Japan v Canada (in Japan)
Fiji v USA (in Japan)

Sunday, June 23
Japan v USA (in Japan)
Tonga v Fiji (in Japan)

 

[FingalRaven]

Forwards
Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)
Rob Buchanan (Harlequins, uncapped)
Calum Clark (Northampton Saints, uncapped) Alex Corbisiero (London Irish, 18 caps)
Paul Doran Jones (Northampton, 4 caps)
Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors, uncapped) Joe Launchbury (London Wasps, 9 caps) Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 20 caps) Joe Marler (Harlequins, 10 caps)
Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, 10 caps) David Paice (London Irish, 6 caps)
Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Billy Vunipola (London Wasps, uncapped)
Rob Webber (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 26 caps)
Tom Wood (Northampton, captain, 18 caps)
Backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins, 16 caps)
Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Ben Foden (Northampton Saints, 30 caps)
Alex Goode (Saracens, 11 caps)
Jonathan Joseph (London Irish, 4 caps)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped) David Strettle (Saracens, 13 caps)
Joel Tomkins (Saracens, uncapped)
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 4 caps) Christian Wade (London Wasps, uncapped) Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 12 caps) Marland Yarde (London Irish, uncapped)

two late replacements for England

Stephen Myler (Northampton, uncapped)
Luther Burrell (Northampton, uncapped)

 

[Dan54]

Goodness me, IQ is going to get a hiding if these games are on Foxtel.

Any one have the inside information on who has broadcast rights to the games?

Not sure HJ, but as you say the old IQ is going to earn it's money, especially in this house with Mrs D using it to record Tour of France at same time!!! She will have to book in times to watch her cycling while I at work or rugby.............hey I know ahe doesn't read this

 

[Antony]

I reckon France will win the series against NZ.

You think they'll get their act together for more than one test?

 

[JSRF10]

The Pacific Nations Cup is live on Setanta Australia, Fox Sports don't have their listings up for beyond June 3rd ditto ESPN and Eurosport

Sky Sports are covering the Ireland tour in the UK so I assume Fox might get the feed for that? France BNZ will be on Fox as well I assume. Given Fox broadcast all the NH internationals in November, including those not featuring the big 3 I'd like to think that they'll be broadcasting a lot of these games.

 

[JSRF10]

Sean Cronin has been called up to the Irish tour of NA with Niall Annett of Ulster replacing him in the Emerging Ireland squad. Peter O'Mahony is now expected to captain the tour

 

[tigerland12]

Fowards: Tii Paulo, Wayne Ole Avei, Manu Leiataua, Census Johnston, Logovii Mulipola, Sakaria Taulafo, James Johnston, Kane Thompson, Iosefa Tekori, Daniel Leo, Teofilo Paulo, Taiasina Tuifua, Alafoti Faosiliva, Ofisa Treviranus, Jack Lam, Maurie Faasavalu, Faalemiga Selesele

Backs: Kahn Fotualii, Jeremy Sua, Auvasa Falealii, Tusiata Pisi, Ki Anufe, George Pisi, Johnny Leota, Isaia Tuifua, Brandon Vaaulu, Alesana Tuilagi, Alapati Leiua, Robert Lilomaiava, Paul Williams, James Sooialo

[/quote]
You can see why Samoa is coming up the ranks in world rugby, that is a very strong squad they have, with pretty much all of them playing regularly at a high level. The only worry is probably their back 3 without Williams or David Lemi.

1- Logovii Mulipola
2- Tii Paulo
3- Census Johnston
4- Kane Thompson
5- Iosefa Tekori/Dan Leo
6- Maurie Faasavalu
7- Jack Lam
8- Taiasina Tuifua

Many of you might not know some of those names, but I can tell you that is a very very strong forward pack.
Italy and Scotland will be lucky to beat them.