Former Sale coach Kingsley Jones has named his first Churchill Cup team ahead of Russia's opening fixture with Canada at Esher on Wednesday.
Russia face the Canucks at Moseley Road, who enter the next stage of the tournament after a convincing win over Italy "A" at Franklin's Gardens.
Man of the Match Chauncey O'Toole is again named in the starting XV alongside try scorers James Pritchard and Aaron Carpenter.
The teams:
Canada: 15 James Pritchard, 14 Matt Evans, 13 Conor Trainor, 12 Mike Scholz, 11 Justin Mensah-Coker, 10 Ander Munro (capt), 9 Sean White, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Chauncey O'Toole, 6 Jebb Sinclair, 5 Jamie Cudmore, 4 Tyler Hotson, 3 Scott Franklin, 2 Ryan Hamilton, 1 Tom Dolezel.
Replacements: 16 Pat Riordan, 17 Andrew Tiedemann, 18 Hubert Buydens, 19 Mitch Gudgeon, 20 Nanyak Dala, 21 Ed Fairhurst, 22 Phil Mackenzie
Russia: 15 I Klyuchnikov; 14 V Artemyev, 13 I Makovetskiy, 12 A Makovetskiy, 11 V Ostroushko, 10 Y Kushnarev, 9 S Shakirov, 8 V Grachev. 7 A Garbuzov, 6 A Temnov, 5 A Voytov, 4 V Boltenkov, 3 I Prishchepenko, 2 V Korshunov (capt), 1 S Popov.
Replacements: 16 V Tsnobiladze, 17 A Travkinm, 18 A Panasenko, 19 V Gresev, 20 A Bykanov, 21 S Trishin, 22 A Ryabov.
Date: Wednesday, June 8
Kick-off: 20:00 (19:00 GMT)
Venue: Moseley Road, Esher
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Tonga Head Coach Isitolo Maka has revealed the starting XV that will run out for their first match of the 2011 Churchill Cup on Wednesday at Esher Rugby.
Kisi Pulu, of Top 14 side Perpignan, will start at tighthead prop and will captain the side against USA.
In the opposition camp, USA boss Eddie O'Sullivan has rung the changes following Saturday 87-8 defeat to England Saxons.
Only wing Colin Hawley and try-scoring second row Scott Lavalla are retained while Sevens player Paul Emerick - who also played in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, is brought in at centre. There is a new half-back combination in Tim Usaz and Nese Malifa.
Captain Todd Clever returns to the starting line-up after sitting out of his side's 87-8 thrashing by England Saxons, while former captain Mike Petri moves to the bench.
Tonga: 15 M Malupo, 14 V Helu, 13 S Hufanga, 12 E Siua, 11 V Iongi, 10 K Mortath, 9 S Havea, 8 V Ma'Afu, 7 P Koloamatangi, 6 P Mapakaitolo, 5 E Kauhenga, 4 S Timani, 3 K Pulu, 2 I Ma'Asi, 1 T Lea'Aetoa.
Replacements: 16 A Halangahu, 17 O Fainga'Anuku, 18 J Afu, 19 P Kaho, 20 D Mrath, 21 E Paea, 22 S Taumoepeau.
USA: 15 R Suniula, 14 C Hawley, 13 P Emerick, 12 A Suniula, 11 K Swiryn, 10 N Malifa, 9 T Usasz, 8 N Johnson, 7 T Clever (capt), 6 I Basauri, 5 S Lavalla, 4 L Stanfill, 3 S Pittman, 2 C Biller, 1 M Moeakiola.
Replacements: 16 P Thiel, 17 E Fry, 18 J Van Der Giessen, 19 P Danahy, 20 M Petri, 21 T Enosa, 22 T Hall.
Date: Wednesday, June 8
Kick-off: 17:30 (16:30 GMT)
Venue: Moseley Road, Esher
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Comments
lawynd says...
@Rugby_Rockstar - it's not about being competitive with England necessarily, more how the other teams match up against each other.
Posted 13:02 09th June 2011
Rugby_Rockstar says...
This Churchill Cup isn't particularly competative. in fact you may as well put your house, girlfriend, car, dog, cat, music collection and the 50in HD tv on england winning. Mind you with the odds being offered you'd probably still only get some pocket fluff and a toe nail clipping back as profit!
We needed a France A or Ireland A to make this competition relevant. The Maori would have been awesome but that was never going to happen with the Super 15 in full swing.
Posted 08:47 09th June 2011
5Lock4ward says...
I'm not sure what to make of Eddie O's non-selection of the pro's he has at his disposal in the lead up to RWC. He'll either be proven wise to have rested them or foolish for not giving his 1st team the time to gel and gain confidence together at this Churchill Cup. I lean toward the latter as the USA Eagles already get so few tests during the year.
Posted 01:44 08th June 2011
crunchfit says...
He played in the AIL (in the higher leagues, quiet a high standard of rugby by domestic standards) and last I heard, he was joining Northampton.
Posted 17:21 07th June 2011
youknowit says...
vasily artemiev who is playing 14 for russia went to school in blackrock college in dublin.the same school as brian odriscoll. he played right wing in his senior year and luke fitzgerald played full back. ian madigan was outhalf. niall morris whos playing for leicester next season was on the other wing
Posted 16:35 07th June 2011
scrum31 says...
What happened to Tonga's class players from last world cup when they had maka, latu, t-pole, taione etc? barely recognise any names from this current lot.
Posted 13:43 07th June 2011
houston_11 says...
I think Tonga are using this match to test as many players as possible who are on the fringe of the WC squad. Plus, it's a good way to give younger players more international experience. Great to see that this competition has evolved to include smaller nations and moved away from Ireland, England the the ABs playing year in, year out.
In saying that, England should comfortably win!
Posted 13:08 07th June 2011
5Lock4ward says...
Agreed MontyRN, I wish other nations would take a lesson.
Posted 13:01 07th June 2011
stumpy says...
Don't quite get why Tonga are almost playing their weakest team possible.
Posted 11:47 07th June 2011
montyRN says...
Am I the only one that quite likes the entire Russian squad for their match all having very Russian names? Don't get me wrong, the "playing at a higher level" argument and the residency rules are all fair game now, but when you run through the England (I'm English) with a bit of knowledge you know a big chunk are born elsewhere.
Whereas the Russians at least SEEM not to have any SH or even NH imports, if their names are anything to go by. -ov's -ev's -skiy's and -ko's. Nice to see their national team developing with home players!
Posted 08:39 07th June 2011