England Selectors’ Rugby Problem

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30630, 22 December 1964, Page 24

England Selectors’ Rugby Problem

(N.Z.P.A.- Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, December 20.

England's Rugby selectors, weighing form for the Home countries' international championship, saw the fly-half, T. Brophy, inspire the possibles to a 16-13 win over the Probables on Saturday.

Brophy, who gained three international “caps” last season, was called in for this second English trial of the 1964-65 season only after a long casualty list prompted wholesale changes in the teams. Altogether, nine changes were necessary from the original trial sides. Brophy dummied, kicked, and ran well and capped a fine game by flashing over for a try. Brophy’s opposite number, M. P. Weston, who captained England on its short tour of New Zealand in 1963, scored a good try. But his scrumhalf partner, the 1955 British Lion, J. Williams, had a poor game compared with the Possibles’ scrum-half, the uncapped C. Ashby.

Promoted To Probables

In the second half Ashby was promoted to the Probables and Weston then showed flashes of form, although not comparable with the quick-witted Brophy. The big talking point today is whether Ashby and Brophy will be partnered again for the third and final trial, at Twickenham, on January 2. England, which meets Wales at Cardiff on January 16, may feel Weston’s experience as a centre—his usual test position—would still be invaluable. It also may want

another look at the British Lion fly-half, R. A. W. Sharp. He scored two tries and dropped a goal in Bristol’s 14-9 win at Leicester.

In London, Newport—the only team to beat the All Blacks on their 1963-64 tour —trounced Harlequins, 20-0, but Harlequins, who had beaten Llanelly, Swansea and Cardiff this season, were weakened by having players in English trials. Welsh Captain

The scrum-half, C. Rowlands, who captained Wales in South Africa this year, is in line to lead Wales against England. After being passed over for the first Welsh trial earlier this month, Rowlands is recalled to lead the Probables against the Possibles at Swansea on January 2. A. Pask, the British Lions’ No. 8, leads the Possibles, who also include fellow Lions, H. Morgan, flank forward, and K. Jones, centre. I. Berry, the Ebbw Vale flyhalf, who turned down an English trial for the chance of a Welsh trial, is chosen for the Possibles.

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