Andy Robinson has named a strong Scotland side for Tuesday's non-cap international against a Japan Select at Murrayfield.
Head coach Robinson made seven changes from the starting XV that completed a memorable RBS 6 Nations win in Ireland at the end of March for what will be his final chance to watch his players in action before the upcoming tour of Argentina.
Centre Alex Grove was recalled on the day Scottish Rugby confirmed he would join Edinburgh on loan from Worcester next season following the latter's relegation from the Guinness Premiership.
Robinson has decided to rest a number of the players who helped Glasgow reach the Magners League semi-finals, with captain Chris Cusiter and Dan Parks not in the 22.
They are replaced at half-back by co-captain Mike Blair and Edinburgh team-mate Phil Godman.
Wing Simon Danielli is also recalled, as are Warriors trio Moray Low (prop), Richie Gray (lock) and Richie Vernon (flanker).
Vernon is the only member of the Scotland A party who will set out on the defence of the IRB Nations Cup in Bucharest next month to start tomorrow.
However, two of his colleagues, Fergus Thomson and Mark McMillan, are on the bench.
Scotland team to play Japan A in non-cap international at Murrayfield tomorrow (kick-off 7pm): H Southwell (Stade Francais); S Lamont (Scarlets), N De Luca (Edinburgh), A Grove (Worcester), S Danielli (Ulster); P Godman (Edinburgh), M Blair (Edinburgh, capt); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), M Low (Glasgow), R Gray (Glasgow), J Hamilton (Edinburgh), R Vernon (Glasgow), K Brown (Glasgow), J Beattie (Glasgow).
Replacements: F Thompson (Glasgow), G Cross (Edinburgh), S MacLeod (Edinburgh), J Barclay (Glasgow), M McMillan (Glasgow), M Evans (Glasgow), J Thompson (Edinburgh).
luni, 31 mai 2010
World Cup 2010 - Facts: England bounce back
England came from behind to win for the second time in the last three internationals - having beaten Egypt 3-1 in a friendly at Wembley on March 3.
England used 25 of their 30-man squad in their two warm up matches - the only players who didn’t feature were Matthew Upson, Michael Dawson, Stephen Warnock, Gareth Barry and Scott Parker.
Four years ago, every player who featured in England’s two warm up matches for the 2006 World Cup Finals was named in the final 23-man squad.
Marcus Tulio Tanaka scored an own goal. Looking ahead to the World Cup Finals, only once before has a player scored at either end in the competition - Dutchman Ernie Brandts in the Netherlands 2-1 victory against Italy in June 1978.
Yuji Nakazawa scored the second own goal for England. This is the third own goal England have benefited from under Fabio Capello, and the first time they have had two in the same match.
Frank Lampard missed his second ever penalty for England. He had scored his previous four in a row since his only other miss - in England’s 3-1 friendly win against Hungary at Old Trafford exactly four years ago today, on May 30, 2006.
Lampard became the fifth player to miss more than one penalty for England - after David Beckham, Franny Lee, Roger Byrne and Edgar Needham.
Goalkeeper David James won his 50th cap for England - the fifth goalkeeper to reach this milestone for the country after Peter Shilton, David Seaman, Gordon Banks and Ray Clemence.
Marcus Tulio Tanaka scored his eighth international goal, and first since he netted in Japan’s 3-0 home win against Hong Kong on February 11.
Japanese goalscorer Tulio has a Japanese-Brazilian father and Italian-Brazilian mother. Brazil (5 wins) and Italy (4 wins) are the two most successful World Cup nations.
Japan lost their third consecutive match - their longest run of defeats in 12 years since they lost four in a row, including defeats during the 1998 World Cup Finals.
England used 25 of their 30-man squad in their two warm up matches - the only players who didn’t feature were Matthew Upson, Michael Dawson, Stephen Warnock, Gareth Barry and Scott Parker.
Four years ago, every player who featured in England’s two warm up matches for the 2006 World Cup Finals was named in the final 23-man squad.
Marcus Tulio Tanaka scored an own goal. Looking ahead to the World Cup Finals, only once before has a player scored at either end in the competition - Dutchman Ernie Brandts in the Netherlands 2-1 victory against Italy in June 1978.
Yuji Nakazawa scored the second own goal for England. This is the third own goal England have benefited from under Fabio Capello, and the first time they have had two in the same match.
Frank Lampard missed his second ever penalty for England. He had scored his previous four in a row since his only other miss - in England’s 3-1 friendly win against Hungary at Old Trafford exactly four years ago today, on May 30, 2006.
Lampard became the fifth player to miss more than one penalty for England - after David Beckham, Franny Lee, Roger Byrne and Edgar Needham.
Goalkeeper David James won his 50th cap for England - the fifth goalkeeper to reach this milestone for the country after Peter Shilton, David Seaman, Gordon Banks and Ray Clemence.
Marcus Tulio Tanaka scored his eighth international goal, and first since he netted in Japan’s 3-0 home win against Hong Kong on February 11.
Japanese goalscorer Tulio has a Japanese-Brazilian father and Italian-Brazilian mother. Brazil (5 wins) and Italy (4 wins) are the two most successful World Cup nations.
Japan lost their third consecutive match - their longest run of defeats in 12 years since they lost four in a row, including defeats during the 1998 World Cup Finals.
Golf-PGA Tour money list
Leading money winners on the 2010 PGA Tour on Monday (U.S. unless stated):
1. Ernie Els (South Africa) $3,460,341
2. Phil Mickelson $2,677,719
3. Jim Furyk $2,588,070
4. Tim Clark (South Africa) $2,573,170
5. Anthony Kim $2,518,521
6. Robert Allenby (Australia) $2,394,057
7. Ben Crane $2,262,176
8. Camilo Villegas (Colombia) $2,118,415
9. Dustin Johnson $2,104,815
10. Steve Stricker $2,059,754
11. Matt Kuchar $1,923,700
12. Hunter Mahan $1,757,016
13. Jeff Overton $1,747,141
14. Ian Poulter (Britain) $1,711,681
15. Zach Johnson $1,687,412
16. Jason Bohn $1,667,255
17. Paul Casey (Britain) $1,618,184
18. Luke Donald (Britain) $1,600,146
19. JB Holmes $1,580,322
20. Bill Haas $1,563,720
1. Ernie Els (South Africa) $3,460,341
2. Phil Mickelson $2,677,719
3. Jim Furyk $2,588,070
4. Tim Clark (South Africa) $2,573,170
5. Anthony Kim $2,518,521
6. Robert Allenby (Australia) $2,394,057
7. Ben Crane $2,262,176
8. Camilo Villegas (Colombia) $2,118,415
9. Dustin Johnson $2,104,815
10. Steve Stricker $2,059,754
11. Matt Kuchar $1,923,700
12. Hunter Mahan $1,757,016
13. Jeff Overton $1,747,141
14. Ian Poulter (Britain) $1,711,681
15. Zach Johnson $1,687,412
16. Jason Bohn $1,667,255
17. Paul Casey (Britain) $1,618,184
18. Luke Donald (Britain) $1,600,146
19. JB Holmes $1,580,322
20. Bill Haas $1,563,720
Akinfenwa explains Cobblers exit
Adebayo Akinfenwa has revealed he decided to leave Northampton in order to spend more time with his family.
The 28-year-old, who spent two-and-a-half years at Sixfields, was commuting from his south London home every day during his time with the Cobblers.
"I'd like to get back home, closer to home," he told the Northampton Chronicle. "I've got the wife and a little kid here and that was another part of why I left Northampton.
"I wasn't spending as much time as I would have liked with my family, and my wife is having another baby so I had to bear that in mind. Where I go, the family will have to come with me, so in an ideal world I'd be able to stay here and do a little bit of travelling."
However, the striker admitted the lure of playing top-flight football in Scotland could tempt him to move away from home.
"I've had three or four Scottish Premier League clubs contact me about going there and doing something," he added. "A couple of those clubs couldn't be further away from London so I'd have to seriously think about it, but it's nice to be sought after and nice to be wanted."
The 28-year-old, who spent two-and-a-half years at Sixfields, was commuting from his south London home every day during his time with the Cobblers.
"I'd like to get back home, closer to home," he told the Northampton Chronicle. "I've got the wife and a little kid here and that was another part of why I left Northampton.
"I wasn't spending as much time as I would have liked with my family, and my wife is having another baby so I had to bear that in mind. Where I go, the family will have to come with me, so in an ideal world I'd be able to stay here and do a little bit of travelling."
However, the striker admitted the lure of playing top-flight football in Scotland could tempt him to move away from home.
"I've had three or four Scottish Premier League clubs contact me about going there and doing something," he added. "A couple of those clubs couldn't be further away from London so I'd have to seriously think about it, but it's nice to be sought after and nice to be wanted."
Next boss faces tough task - Calderwood
Jimmy Calderwood has confirmed he will not be in charge at Kilmarnock next season.
Calderwood, who kept Killie in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after being appointed on a short-term contract in January, claims he decided not to stay on after being told there would be further budget cuts and that he would have to axe one of his coaches.
Calderwood said in the Daily Record: "In the end, it was an easy decision to reach because I couldn't fulfil my ambitions under these financial limitations or meet the fans' expectations."
He added: "It was always going to be a tall order to progress but I had considered staying on because the players are a great bunch and the support is so positive.
"The next gaffer will find out for himself how difficult the task will be.
"We had done a lot of work identifying new players, both in England and Holland, who would definitely improve the quality of the team.
"We were well down that road and they wouldn't have cost anything in transfers. Their wages were reasonable but, even so, they were still outwith the scale that Killie could afford.
"The chairman wanted to axe one of my staff to save money. That was never going to happen because Jimmy Nicholl, Sandy Clark and me are a team."
Calderwood, who kept Killie in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after being appointed on a short-term contract in January, claims he decided not to stay on after being told there would be further budget cuts and that he would have to axe one of his coaches.
Calderwood said in the Daily Record: "In the end, it was an easy decision to reach because I couldn't fulfil my ambitions under these financial limitations or meet the fans' expectations."
He added: "It was always going to be a tall order to progress but I had considered staying on because the players are a great bunch and the support is so positive.
"The next gaffer will find out for himself how difficult the task will be.
"We had done a lot of work identifying new players, both in England and Holland, who would definitely improve the quality of the team.
"We were well down that road and they wouldn't have cost anything in transfers. Their wages were reasonable but, even so, they were still outwith the scale that Killie could afford.
"The chairman wanted to axe one of my staff to save money. That was never going to happen because Jimmy Nicholl, Sandy Clark and me are a team."
Checa eyeing repeat of 2008
Carlos Checa is hoping history repeats itself when he starts from pole position for the seventh round of the World Superbike Championship at Miller Motorsports Park.
Only the second time the Spaniard has qualified on pole position for a World Superbike event, the last time he did so – two years ago at the same circuit – he romped to two dominant wins.
Breaking his own lap record in the process of winning pole position, Checa’s performance was made all the more impressive by the fact he was almost 18kph slower in a straight line than second place man Max Biaggi.
“In the qualifying session we did a good job”, said Checa, who is currently joint third in the overall standings. “And then Superpole went extremely well: I was braking as late as possible, exiting corners at top speed and I finished with a time that I didn’t expect, so I’m extremely satisfied. I’m just as happy with the work that I’ve carried out with my team in preparation for the races.”
A first pole position for the Althea Ducati team too, there was disappointment for Checa’s team-mate Shane Byrne as he could translate his practice pace into anything more than 11th come Superpole.
"We made an error of judgment in the last lap and this meant we didn’t reach the final Superpole session. It’s a pity because the bike is ok and I’m really satisfied with the work my team has done.”
Only the second time the Spaniard has qualified on pole position for a World Superbike event, the last time he did so – two years ago at the same circuit – he romped to two dominant wins.
Breaking his own lap record in the process of winning pole position, Checa’s performance was made all the more impressive by the fact he was almost 18kph slower in a straight line than second place man Max Biaggi.
“In the qualifying session we did a good job”, said Checa, who is currently joint third in the overall standings. “And then Superpole went extremely well: I was braking as late as possible, exiting corners at top speed and I finished with a time that I didn’t expect, so I’m extremely satisfied. I’m just as happy with the work that I’ve carried out with my team in preparation for the races.”
A first pole position for the Althea Ducati team too, there was disappointment for Checa’s team-mate Shane Byrne as he could translate his practice pace into anything more than 11th come Superpole.
"We made an error of judgment in the last lap and this meant we didn’t reach the final Superpole session. It’s a pity because the bike is ok and I’m really satisfied with the work my team has done.”
Biaggi sets fierce straight-line pace
Despite falling four tenths short of Carlos Checa’s pole position at Miller Motorsports Park, Max Biaggi has reason to feel confident after once again showing the raw pace of his Aprilia.
The Italian hinted at his speed during the knockout phases as he set a new lap record during SP2, but had no answer to Checa’s effort when it mattered.
What was evident from the final results, however, was Biaggi’s sheer advantage over Checa in a straight line, the Aprilia touching 311kph, while the Althea Ducati could only manage 293.6kph.
With this in mind, Biaggi is hoping he can tweak the set-up of his RSV-4 to harness that power and hold sway through the bends.
“I think we have been in a good pace since day one and we have found a way to work better with one bike than the other, in chassis and set-up of the suspension.
"We have found a good way in Superpole and we will start from the front row, which is important.”
The Italian hinted at his speed during the knockout phases as he set a new lap record during SP2, but had no answer to Checa’s effort when it mattered.
What was evident from the final results, however, was Biaggi’s sheer advantage over Checa in a straight line, the Aprilia touching 311kph, while the Althea Ducati could only manage 293.6kph.
With this in mind, Biaggi is hoping he can tweak the set-up of his RSV-4 to harness that power and hold sway through the bends.
“I think we have been in a good pace since day one and we have found a way to work better with one bike than the other, in chassis and set-up of the suspension.
"We have found a good way in Superpole and we will start from the front row, which is important.”
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