RUGBY UNION: Purdy's England debut (From Bicester Advertiser)

RUGBY UNION: Purdy's England debut

10:30am Thursday 7th February 2013 in Rugby By Ed Mezzetti, Sports reporter specialising in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Call me on 01865 425456

HENRY Purdy will make his England Under 20 debut in tomorrow night’s Six Nations clash with Ireland in Athlone (6.35).

The Leicester Tigers youngster, from Milton-under-Wychwood, starts on the left wing as one of four changes to the side that beat Scotland 15-6 in their opener.

That clash saw Oxford University flanker Gus Jones come off the bench for England, while former Oxfordshire junior Tommy Allen started at fly half for Scotland.

• ABINGDON School full back Jamie Pearson scored a try as South West defeated the North 43-26 in the Under 16 Divisional Festival at Broadstreet RFC.

The festival is part of the process towards England under 16 selection, with coaches set to name a 70-man squad to attend a half-term training camp.

JUNIOR SCORES

Oxfordshire Under 16 A League: Banbury 12 (tries H Graham, W Hardy; con S Manning), Grove 7.

Oxfordshire Under 15 League: Chinnor 5, Banbury 38 (tries C Shepherd 2, J Fender, J Anderson, G Grieve, A Taylor; cons J Briggs 4).

Oxfordshire Under 14 Cup semi-final: Witney 5, Banbury 27 (tries D Brady 3, J Manning, C O’Shea; con J Manning).

Under 10: Banbury 45 (tries O Michael 2, O Whiting 2, A McCusker, C Neale, J Blackburn, H Jones, S Church); Banbury 20 (tries G Winkler, Q Blythe, B Mazoue, T Haynes), Abingdon 15.