WILL CHUDLEY PLAYS FOR ENGLAND STUDENTS

Late heartbreak for Students against world’s 21st ranked team

England Students were within two minutes of victory over a Portugal side standing 21st in the official world rankings, until a try from back row Vasco Uva converted by replacement Pedro Cabral gave the home side a 21-18 win at the Estádio Universitário in Lisbon this afternoon.


The Students’ toughest fixture of recent years saw a squad including 16 new caps, including Bedfords Will Chudley played adventurous rugby throughout and they led 18-6 with 15 minutes remaining.

But Portugal, whose players have been in a training camp in preparation for Rugby World Cup qualifiers against Russia and Georgia over the next two weeknds, hit back with a penalty and two tries.

The second of them by Uva - their captain at the last World Cup in France - came from a driven line out after 78 minutes and was converted by Cabral 15 metres in from the touchline. The position had come from a penalty kicked to touch after a late tackle by England Students.


"We played outstandingly well and kept faith with our attacking brand of rugby," said Keith Green, England Students’ team manager.


"This match was always going to be about fine margins and it was disappointing to lose but the players responded brilliantly to a tough challenge."


England Students led 3-0 with a penalty by Bath fly half Paul Roberts before Portugal levelled with a 32nd minute penalty by full back Pedro Leal.


In added time at the end of the first half, UWE centre Matt Humphries got over for the first of England Students’ two tries after a good counter-attack featuring inter-passing between the half backs and back row, and Roberts converted for a 10-3 interval lead.


Leal missed a penalty then converted one after 48 minutes as Portgual based their game around the line-out, while England prospered in the scrums and had Bristol centre Tom Mitchell in fine form.


After 57 minutes a move on the blind side of a scrum brought England Students’ second try through their captain, Loughborough flanker Phil Burgess, and a 15-6 lead.


Roberts’s second penalty of the afternoon in shirt-sleeves weather in the Portuguese capital stretched England’s advantage to 12 points.


But the Students were penalised for crossing when they caught the restart and Cabral kicked the penalty for Portugal to trail 18-9.


Replacement António Aguilar, on for Leal, scored wide out for Portugal as they played a possession game and forced the Students back before Uva’s late converted try clinched it.


Portugal 21 England Students 18, Estádio Universitário, Lisbon, Saturday January 30.


Portugal: P Leal; A Esteves, D Mateus, P Silva, F Oliveira; C Pinto, J Pinto; J Junior, J Correia (capt), T da Costa, C Stickling, R Simões, V Uva, S Palha, T Girão.


Tries: Aguilar, Uva; Con: Cabral; Pens: Leal 2, Cabral.


England Students: J Bordiss (Exeter); S Morris (Oxford), T Mitchell (Bristol), M Humphries (UWE), T Hockedy (Exeter); P Roberts (Bath), W Chudleigh (Loughborough); M Berry (Loughborough), A Bellamy (Bristol), O Mines (Durham), J Aston (Loughborough), A Archibald (Northumbria), M Wilson (Northumbria), P Burgess (Loughborough, capt), B Maidment (Cambridge). Replacements (all used): T Brockett, P Crossley (Cambridge), R Cadman (Hartpury), A Waddingham (Durham), M Ward (Durham), G Nicholls (Bristol), J Crozier (Durham).


Tries: Humphries, Burgess; Con: Roberts; Pens: Roberts 2.

EXCITING WELSH FRONT ROW TALENT SIGNS FOR MERLIN SPORT

Merlin Sport are delighted to announce the exciting signings of Sam Hobbs (left) and Pat Palmer (right).

Sam Hobbs is a front-row forward currently playing for Cardiff Blues where he has broken through the youth system to play both Magners League and Heineken Cup in 2009.

Pat is also a front-row forward at Cardiff Blues but is currently on loan at Newport Gwent Dragons, where he too has played Magners League and Heineken Cup rugby.

Both players have represented Wales at U20 level and both are expected to have very successful careers.

A HAT TRICK OF ARMITAGES FOR MERLIN SPORT

Merlin Sport are delighted that the third member of the Rugby Playing Armitage family has agreed to join Merlin Sport alongside his brothers Delon and Bevon.

Steffon has also just signed a contract extension with London Irish and has been named alongside Delon in the current England EPS sqaud for the forthcoming Six Nations series.


Steffon is delighted to be joining Merlin Sport and is excited to be alongside his brothers at the Merlin group.

RUDI BRITS JOINS MERLIN SPORT

Merlin Sport are delighted to announce the signing of South African prop Rudi Brits. Rudi first played rugby for the Blue Bulls in his native South Africa where he represented his country at U19 level, and played both Currie and Vodacom Cup. He then moved to England and moved up through the leagues to play for Bradford and Bingley, Coventry and current plays for the Cornish Pirates in the English Championship. Rudi has joined Merlin Sport to push his career to the next level.

DELON ARMITAGE JOINS MERLIN SPORT

London Irish and England Player, Delon Armitage has joined the Merlin Sport Elite group of sportsmen.

Delon has recently signed a new two year contract extension, negotiated by Mike strange, at London Irish and has been included in the current England EPS Squad.

Merlins Mike Strange added "This signing demonstrates the belief shown by that top players that Merlin is the correct choice to look after their careers. Delon is a world class player and a tremendous ambassador for attacking Rugby and a credit to the renowned Armitage rugby family”.

BEVON ARMITAGE JOINS HIS BROTHER AT MERLIN SPORT

Merlin Sport are delighted that Bevon Armitage has agreed to join Merlin Sport alonside his brother Delon to look after his career with immediate effect.

Bevon is currently having a great season at inside centre playing in the Championship with Doncaster Knights.

Lennie Newman added, “We are always searching for clients that can enhance Merlin Sport and also assist to develop the players career, Bevon not only fitted this criteria with his recent performances with Doncaster but also as part of the incredible Armitage family of Rugby players.

MATT STEVENS TO JOIN SARACENS

Merlins, Matt Stevens, capped 32 times by England and a member of the British and Irish Lions touring party to New Zealand in 2005, is the first of a raft of major signings expected to be announced by the Premiership club.

Matt has been courted by many Premiership clubs eager to sign the England prop forward

Saracens Director of Rugby, Brendan Venter has described the recruitment of Stevens, as "a massively significant signing".

Stevens, who also recently opened a new coffee shop in Bath with Bath and England hooker Lee Mears, described the move as the next phase in his rugby career. "I have many great memories and friends in Bath, but there's something special happening at Saracens and I'm very eager to be part of it."

"This signing demonstrates the scale of our ambition, and it also shows that top players recognise Saracens as a well-run club with a bright future," said Venter.


"Matt is a world-class prop with his best rugby ahead of him, and I'm sure he'll flourish in our environment."