Chiefs named in Saxons squad

By Mark Stevens
8/6/2016

Exeter Chiefs trio Alec Hepburn, Don Armand and newcomer Ollie Devoto have all been named in the England Saxons starting line-up for the opening game of their summer tour against South Africa ‘A’ on Friday (6:10pm BST).

Club-mates Dave Ewers and Mitch Lees will also form part of the match-day 23 having been named on the replacements’ bench for the clash in Bloemfontein.

The Saxons, who will be led by Chiefs assistant coach Ali Hepher, will play South Africa’s second team for the first time at Bloemfontein’s Free State stadium with the match broadcast live on Sky Sports 3.

Having arrived in South Africa a week ago, the Saxons have spent the past week training at the Sharks’ Kings Park Stadium in Durban, before flying on to Bloemfontein tomorrow ahead of the game itself.

Hepher admits he has been impressed by the way his squad have gone about their initial preparations and is looking for a positive start to the two-game tour.

“We’re really pleased with how the group is progressing together. We’re developing the players, which is key to this tour, and we now want to see how they perform on the international stage,” said Hepher.

“Friday night offers us a fantastic challenge and this game will tell us where we’re at, what we’ve got to work on and improve, and to see the strengths the guys have on the field.

“We want to see a team that doesn’t hold back, that is fearless in the way it puts itself out there, but is also very accurate, playing smart rugby with or without the ball.”

After tomorrow’s clash in Bloemfontein, the Saxons will then head to Cape Town before building up for their second fixture, which takes place at Outeniqua Park in George on Friday, 17 June (KO 6.10pm BST).

Hepher added: “We’ve given the players a basic structure through which they are able to express themselves and be the players they are. It has also been key to bond the side and the guys are leading on those activities on and off field. It is great to see them taking responsibility for the whole tour.”

England Saxons Squad to Face South Africa ‘A’

15. Mike Haley (Sale Sharks)
14. Alex Lewington (London Irish)
13. Nick Tompkins (Saracens)
12. Ollie Devoto (Exeter Chiefs)
11. Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby)
10. Danny Cipriani (Wasps)
9. Dan Robson (Wasps)
1. Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs)
2. Tommy Taylor (Wasps)
3. Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints)
4. Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, capt)
5. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
6. Don Armand (Exeter Chiefs)
7. Matt Kvesic (Gloucester)
8. Sam Jones (Wasps)

16. George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons)
17. Ross Harrison (Sale Sharks)
18. Jake Cooper-Woolley (Wasps)
19. Mitch Lees (Exeter Chiefs)
20. Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs)
21. Micky Young (Newcastle Falcons)
22. Sam James (Sale Sharks)
23. Christian Wade (Wasps)