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Several Wallaby internationals have been named in the Western Force touring squad announced earlier today by the Australian Super 14 franchise. The 28-man touring party will be skippered by David Pocock, who also led the Australian Under-20 side at this year's Junior World Championships. He will be leading a squad that includes Wallabies Scott Staniforth and Tai McIsaac and a host of established Auper 14 campaigners. The tourists includes all available contracted Western Force players, with the only exceptions being five members of the national Tri Nations squad and five more ruled out with long-term injuries. Force head coach John Mitchell says that the tour will promote strong competition among the squad. "The purpose (of the tour) is to provide us with some tough competition and to bring some of our developing players through and provide them with tour experience and expose them to high quality rugby," he said. "The team will travel as the Western Force and will wear the Western Force jersey. We are going on this tour with the intentions of developing our game and to perform well in preparation for the 2009 Super 14 season." The Force will have two fixtures at Franklin's Gardens against Northampton XVs, on Saturday August 23rd (ko 3pm) and Wednesday, August 27th (ko 7:30pm). Both of these matches are included in the season ticket package but additional tickets are now available to order for season ticket holders and associate members only. Tickets will go on general sale on Monday, August 11th. Western Force Touring Squad
Dion Berryman, Caleb Brown, Pekahou Cowan, Scott Daruda, Gareth Hardy, Dane Haylett-Petty, Matt Hodgson, Luke Holmes, Tamaiti Horua, Kieran Longbottom, Barry Mansfield, Tai McIsaac, Tom Murday, Brent Murphy, James O'Connor, Pat O'Connor, Chris O'Young, Junior Pelesasa, David Pocock (c), Filipe Manu, Haig Sare, Scott Staniforth, Troy Takiari, Josh Tatupu, Valeni Tia Tia, Justin Turner, AJ Whalley, Sam Wykes. News Source:
http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/ |
