RUGBYFORUMXIII

The BARLA Great Britain Young Lions set off for France today (Monday 2 June) for the first tour of a busy summer. The week long tour will see them play two games against Languedoc Roussillon on Wednesday 4th June and then France Juniors on Saturday 7th June.

After suffering an agonising defeat against France Juniors at Featherstone in March, the Young Lions will be hoping to produce two solid performances ahead of their long trip to New Zealand in July. Manager Joe Elliot knows that the French sides will offer a tough examination of his players and sees the games as ideal preparation for the three week long tour to the southern hemisphere.

He said, “We are expecting two really tough encounters in France, however I am confident the lads will be able to deal with it.”

He continued, “We have been training well over the last few weeks and I don’t think our preparation could of gone much better. Everyone is really looking forward to the summer ahead and we are determined to give it our best shot.”

Fixtures
v Languedoc Roussillon Selection
4th June 2003
In Aude (Carcassonne)

v France Juniors
7th June 2003
In Toulouse (Struxiano)

France Tour Squad

David Ashton (Wigan St Patricks/North West)
Chris Baines (Wigan St Patricks/North West)
Craig Calvert (Wath Brow Hornets/The North)
Craig Cawthray (Stanley Rangers/Yorkshire)
Derry Eilbeck (Wath Brow Hornets/The North)
Mark Foster (Maryport/The North)
Tony Gregg (Wath Brow Hornets/The North)
Richard Hough (Crosfields/North West)
Anthony Houghton (Wigan St Patricks/North West)
Scott Lofthouse (Kells/The North)
Michael Martinez (West Hull/Yorkshire)
Andy McGlasson (Wath Brow Hornets/The North)
Trevor Penrose (Ideal Isberg/Yorkshire)
Matthew Peet (Wigan St Patricks/North West)
John Pickersgill (Crosfields/North West) CAPTAIN
Alex Rowe (London Broncos/London & The South)
Liam Rowson (Leigh East/North West)
Steve Sutcliffe (Wigan St Patricks/North West)
John Thornhill (Wigan St Patricks/North West)
Rob Worrincy (London Broncos/London & The South)

Tour Management

Joe Elliot (Manager)
Tommy Taylor (Assistant Manager)
Ian Rudd (Coach)
Carl Briscoe (Assistant Coach)
Tommy Graffin (Physio)
Dr David Atherton (Team Doctor)