Churchill Cup
Cipriani drops to Saxons' bench
Scrum.com
June 13, 2009
Northampton Saints fly-half Stephen Myler in action during their Guinness Premiership win over Leicester at Franklin's Gardens, January 10 2009
Northampton fly-half Stephen Myler will make his Saxons debut against the USA © Getty Images
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England Saxons boss Stuart Lancaster has rotated his squad as they prepare to take on the USA on Sunday.

Danny Cipriani drops to the bench for the game, with Northampton Saints fly-half Stephen Myler being given a chance to stake his claims ahead of the Churchill Cup finals next week.

Myler will make his first start for the Saxons, and will be joined in doing so by centre Brad Barritt and scrum-half Micky Young. Stuart Hooper, who captained the Saxons in their win over the Argentina Jaguars, also drops to the bench with Nick Kennedy stepping in to the second-row. Phil Dowson will lead the side.

"While we are here to win this tournament it also comes as an opportunity to develop players and see how well they get on in the international environment," said Lancaster. "We are looking forward to seeing how this squad performs.

"There are positives to take from our performance against Argentina but there is also plenty to work on and the players have responded well this week. We have quality players in this side and we are expecting an improved performance this Sunday. The USA will have a highly charged and competitive side and they are playing at home, so they are ready to give it their all against us."

Eagles boss Eddie O'Sullivan has made several change to his side, with Todd Clever returning to captain the side after featuring for the Lions in the Super 14 and for the Golden Lions against the British & Irish Lions. Clever is joined by Paul Emerick, who links up with the squad after his part in the Italian Super 10 finals with Overmach Parma.

"I've again made several changes for this upcoming match," said O'Sullivan. "We will bring back some of our more experienced players and keep some of the players whose performance on Wednesday forced us to take another look. In addition, Paul Emerick and Brian Lemay, are now available and will join the squad in preparation for the Rugby World Cup qualifier.

"The Saxons have a very complete side. They have proven strong with the ball in hand. We need to keep the things we did well in the match against Argentina and fix the things with which we struggled; and hopefully this time around we won't get on the wrong side of the referee."

USA: Gavin DeBartolo (Eastern Suburbs), Colin Hawley (California), Junior Sifa (Middleton RFC), Roland Suniula (Pearl City RFC), Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers), Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays), Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club), Matekitonga Moeakiola (Park City Haggis), Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club), Shawn Pittman (Bayside RFC), John Van Der Giessen (Denver Barbarians), Hayden Smith (Saracens FC), Todd Clever (Lions, capt), Peter Dahl (Belmont Shore RFC), Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians RFC)

Replacements:Chris Biller (California), Brian Lemay (Boston Irish Wolfhounds), Louis Stanfill (New York Athletic Club), J.J. Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town), Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC) , Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore RFC), Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma)

England Saxons: N Abendanon (Bath); N Cato (Saracens), D Waldouck (London Wasps), B Barritt (Saracens), T Varndell (Leicester); S Myler (Northampton), M Young (Newcastle Falcons); D Flatman (Bath), R Webber (Wasps), T Mercey (Saracens), P Short (Bath), N Kennedy (London Irish), P Dowson (Newcastle Falcons, capt), B Woods (Leicester), T Guest (Harlequins)

Replacements: D Cole (Leicester), N Briggs (Sale), C Jones (Sale), L Narraway (Gloucester), J Simpson (Wasps), D Cipriani (Wasps), M Smith (Leicester).

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