#rugbyleague BLOG 2010/11 Centurions reveal kit "in the flesh" and squad list

Entry 39, 11th December

Thursday night saw the Centurions host a Season Launch Night to a sold out Banqueting Suite at Leigh Sports Village. The well attended event was opened up by General Manager David Bradshaw who told the crowd about the demise of the Game-on Magazine and revealed the Centurions would again be producing a programme in 2011.

Leigh's Salford-esque new shirt was on view and it was better than the sketches but still received a mixed reaction. That said in my opinion it will be smart enough with a pair of jeans and there is hope that Santa delivers one to this journalist!

Chief Executive Allan Rowley then took over proceedings and introduced Head Coach Ian Millward to the audience. Millward spoke about training, differing emphasis and his hopes of seeing several young players develop their games further in 2011.

Millward's backroom staff of Assistant Coach Paul Rowley, Reserve Coach Neil Jukes and Player Performance Manager Gary Eccleston were introduced and each gave a quick round-up on progress in their areas at the moment with Rowley helping to implement the current weights and fitness programme, Jukes spoke of his pride in seeing four regular members of last years Reserve side in the first team squad for 2011 and revealed the competition has become Under-23s for the new season. He was also hopeful of more players being able to make the step up in the not too distant future. Eccleston also gave an insight on how the Centurions are looking to the future with the new scholarship which Leigh will be running from next season.

It was then the turn of the players to take centre-stage - literally as each was summoned, given a rousing reception as their favourite song belted out over the sound system and then had to face some questions from the Chief Executive. We heard all about players getting a liking for using rowing machines, about Stuart Littler's hopes for the season ahead and also saw a new svelt Mick Nanyn. We also heard reference to Anthony Nicholson's Tuna and Egg diet and the hopes of Jamie Ellis to be playing against men next season, with Allan Rowley quickly quipping that he'd been outstanding in a recent game against Haydock Ladies! It was all good fun and the players were in good humour with team spirit appearing high amongst the group.

The first team squad list was revealed as follows:

1 Stuart Donlan

2 Steve Maden

3 Stuart Littler

4 Mick Nanyn

5 Dean McGilvray

6 Martyn Ridyard

7 Robbie Paul

8 Chris Hill

9 John Duffy

10 Ricky Bibey

11 James Taylor

12 Tommy Goulden

13 Steve Nash

14 Adam Higson

15 Andy Thornley

16 Anthony Nicholson

17 Craig Briscoe

18 Danny Meekin

19 Jon Pownall

20 Sam Hopkins

21 Matty Blythe

22 Tom Armstrong

23 Mick Govin

24 Andy Gorski

25 Jamie Ellis

#rugbyleague BLOG 2010/11 England Academy name their team to take on the Aussie Schoolboys

Entry 38, 9th December 2010.

The latest press release from the RFL landed in my in-box before.

England Academy are looking to make history tomorrow with the second test at LSV. Here is the write-up:

England Academy Head Coach Dave Elliott has selected his 17-man squad for the second Test against the Australian Schoolboys.

The Academy side recorded an impressive 38-30 victory over the Schoolboys in the opening Test game and they are determined to seal a 2-0 series win at Leigh Sports Village on Friday December 10. (K.O 7.30pm)

The England Academy Squad to face the Australian Schoolboys:

1. Matthew Russell (Wigan Warriors)
2. Ryan King (Warrington Wolves)
3. Jordan Thompson (Castleford Tigers)
4. Rhys Evans (Warrington Wolves)
5. Reece Lyne (Hull FC)
6. Gareth O'Brien (Warrington Wolves)
7. Sam Powell (Wigan Warriors)
8. George Burgess (Bradford Bulls)
9. Adam Milner (Capt) (Castleford Tigers)
10. Olsi Krasniqi (Harlequins RL)
11. Danny Bridge (Wigan Warriors)
12. Ben Evans (Warrington Wolves)
13. James Laithwaite (Warrington Wolves)
14. Adam O'Brien (Bradford Bulls)
15. Jared Stewart (Leeds Rhinos)
16. Greg Burke (Wigan Warriors)
17. Matthew Sarsfield (Wigan Warriors)

Tickets for the second Test between the England Academy and the Australian Schoolboys are available on the day and cost £3 Adult and £2 Concessions.

Please support this fixture.

Sadly I won't be able to attend this one myself but best of luck to the England boys!

#rugbyleague BLOG 2010/11 - Australian Schoolboys and England Academy name their teams

Entry 33, 4th December 2010

The two teams have been named ahead of the Academy International at Leigh this afternoon.

Follow @DParkyRL on Twitter for score updates if you can't get there. If you can it's £3 entry - a bargain to see the stars of tomorrow.

Here is the named Australian side

1. Henare Wells     QSSRL
2. Jacob Gagan             NSWCHS
3. Tautau Moga             QSSRL
4. Trent Jennings     NSWCHS
5. David Nofoaluma     NSWCCC
6. Jack Wighton     ACT
7. Harry Siejka     NSWCHS
8. Chris Grevsmuhl     QSSRL
9. Chad Redman             NSWCHS
10. Matthew Groat     NSWCCC
11. Lachlan Burr     NSWCHS
12. Vaipuna Tia Kilifi     NSWCCC
13. Paul Carter (C)     NSWCHS
14. Gerard McCallum     NSWCHS
15. Michael Chee-Kam     ACT
16. Anthony Gadd     QSSRL
17. David Klemmer     NSWCHS

So far on tour, the schoolboys have once again proved a class apart for Wales U-18s and the England Community Lions U-18s winning 52-4 and 56-6 respectively.

Here are the list of scorers from the game with Wales:

Harry Siejka - 2T 5G
Chad Redman - 2T
Paul Carter - 2T
Jacob Gagan - 2T
Tautau Moga - 1T
Chris Grevsmuhl - 1T
Anthony Gadd - 1G

And then the scorers from the game against the Community Lions at Featherstone:

David Nofoaluma - 2T 1G
Trent Jennings - 2T
Michael Chee-Kam - 1T
Vaipuna Tia Kilifi - 1T
Tautau Moga - 1T
Iain Riccardi - 1T
Henare Wells - 1T
Chris Grevsmuhl - 1T
Anthony Gadd - 5G
Harry Siejka - 2G

Once again here are the 17 lads looking to topple the Aussies with Rhys Evans, Reece Lyne and Adam Milner all enjoying first team run outs for their clubs in Super League.

1 - Matthew Russell (Wigan Warriors)
2 - Ryan King (Wigan Warriors)
3 - Jordan Thompson (Castleford Tigers)
4 - Rhys Evans (Warrington Wolves)
5 - Reece Lyne (Hull FC)
6 - Gareth O'Brien (Warrington Wolves)
7 - Sam Powell (Wigan Warriors)
8 - George Burgess (Bradford Bulls)
9 - Adam Milner (Castleford Tigers) (capt)
10 - Ben Evans (Warrington Wolves)
11 - Danny Bridge (Wigan Warriors)
12 - Jack Hughes (Wigan Warriors)
13 - James Laithwaite (Warrington Wolves)
14 - Adam O'Brien (Bradford Bulls)
15 - Jared Stewart (Leeds Rhinos)
16 - Greg Burke (Wigan Warriors)
17 - Matthew Sarsfield (Wigan Warriors)

#rugbyleague BLOG 2010/11 England Academy Team has a local flavour

Entry 30, 3rd December 2010

England Academy coach Dave Elliott has named his squad to take on the formidable Australian Schoolboys at Leigh on saturday (2PM) and it is a side packed with players from Wigan and Warrington. Warrington have four members of the squad in: Rhys Evans (centre), Gareth O'Brien (stand-off), Ben Evans (prop) and James Laithwaite (loose forward).

The Warriors in the squad are: Matthew Russell (fullback), Ryan King (wing), Sam Powell (scrum-half), Danny Bridge (second row), Jack Hughes (second row), Greg Burke (substitute), Matthew Sarsfield (substitute)

Super League experience is provided by Reece Lyne (Hull) while the team is skippered by Castleford hooker Adam Milner. Also George Bugess, younger brother of South Sydney forward Sam is selected in an international side for the first time since turning professional with his twin brother at Odsal.

According to an RFL press release, former Centurions Youth Development officer and coach Elliott said, “We know the Australians are big, strong lads who’ll make things tough for us,” said Elliot. “So we’ll be going into this game expecting the same type of physical game we always get from Australia.

“But we’ve got a group of very talented players to chose from ourselves. Several of our squad have already had Super League experience and that combination of talent and experience provides us with a team capable of putting in some really good performances and getting a result.

“There is a confident mood in camp and the conditions could prove tough for the Australians so we’ll have to exploit that on the day.”

The full squad announced for tomorrow's game is:

1 - Matthew Russell (Wigan Warriors)
2 - Ryan King (Wigan Warriors)
3 - Jordan Thompson (Castleford Tigers)
4 - Rhys Evans (Warrington Wolves)
5 - Reece Lyne (Hull FC)
6 - Gareth O'Brien (Warrington Wolves)
7 - Sam Powell (Wigan Warriors)
8 - George Burgess (Bradford Bulls)
9 - Adam Milner (Castleford Tigers) (capt)
10 - Ben Evans (Warrington Wolves)
11 - Danny Bridge (Wigan Warriors)
12 - Jack Hughes (Wigan Warriors)
13 - James Laithwaite (Warrington Wolves)
14 - Adam O'Brien (Bradford Bulls)
15 - Jared Stewart (Leeds Rhinos)
16 - Greg Burke (Wigan Warriors)
17 - Matthew Sarsfield (Wigan Warriors)

#rugbyleague BLOG 2010/11 More from the RFL about the Academy International at Leigh on Saturday

Entry 28, 2nd December 2010

Being on the RFL press list gets you some interesting stories sent through and one such story that landed in my inbox today featured England Academy skipper Adam Milner. The Castleford hooker is a top prospect and will be looking to break into the Tigers first team on a regular basis before too long. Before then however, he has the little matter of leading the England Academy team out against the Aussie Schoolboys.

Here is a copy of the press release:

England Academy captain Adam Milner is relishing the opportunity to lead his country from the front when they face the Australian Schoolboys in the first of a two Test series at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday, December 4. (K.O 2:00pm)

Milner will join a list of past England Academy captains which includes England’s recent Four Nations captain James Graham. Graham’s international teammates Sam Burgess and Luke Robinson are just a selection of other players who have recently represented the England Academy side before progressing to senior level and Milner is hoping to follow their footsteps.

“It’s a great privilege for me to be named as captain of the England side,” said Milner. “It’s also a bit of a surprise. I’ve never really been a captain before but I’m really honoured to be given the captains role and I can’t wait to lead the boys out to face the Schoolboys.”

“If I can be anything like some of the players who have previously played for the Academy then I’d be delighted. To be mentioned in the same breath as guys like Burgess and Graham is an honour for me, but I know I have a long way to go before I can be considered in their class. But it’s a great confidence boost to know so many academy players have gone on to become England players.”

On the eve of the Academy's first Test against the Australian Schoolboys, Milner and his squad know they have the opportunity to prove themselves against their counterparts from Down Under and he says there is a confident mood within the Academy camp.

“Training so far has been going good,” said the Castleford Tigers player. “We’ve worked hard at getting the squad to blend together and the team spirit now is fantastic.

“We’re expecting the games against the Australians to be very tough and we’ve heard rumours about the players coming over here, but we've been studying their team to see what exactly we’re going up against and what we need to do.

“We’ve got some very talented players in this side and I’m confident that we can perform well on the day and get the result that we all want.”

Tickets for the England Academy versus Australian Schoolboy on Saturday, December 4 at Leigh Sports Village (K.O 2:00pm) can be purchased on the day and cost £3.

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#rugbyleague Blog 2010/11 - International Rugby returns to Leigh... tell as many people as possible!

Entry 26, 1st December 2010

The Leigh Sports Village will hold its second Rugby League International this weekend when Great Britain Academy will take on the Australian Schoolboys. This was confirmed today when I received the following e-mail from the RFL:

England Academy versus Australian Schoolboys fixture relocation

Due to unforeseen weather conditions across England, the RFL in collaboration with Barrow RL, have decided to relocate the first Test game between the England Academy and Australian Schoolboy’s to Leigh Sports Village.

The game was scheduled to take place at Barrow’s Mark Coward Stadium, but due to adverse weather conditions the fixture will now be contested at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday December 4. (K.O 2:00pm)

Tickets for the fixture can be purchased on the day and cost £3 

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Spread the word, retweet this message and feel free to post a link wherever you like advertising the fixture. This is great for Leigh to host another prestigious fixture but also don't miss the chance to see these Aussie Schoolboys. In the past these tours have unearthed such gems as Israel Falau, Brad Fittler and the like. You really could be seeing a superstar of tomorrow, today if you get my meaning!

I'll be covering the game and bringing a match report and news on these very pages. Stay tuned in.