THE 2016 Men’s Associations’ Cup kicks off tomorrow (Wednesday, 20 April) at Stanningley, Leeds.
GB Armed Forces, the holders, take on GB Police at 6.00pm, and England Universities meet GB Teachers at 8.00pm.
The Universities – formerly GB Students – are again coached by Colin Baker and head into their game full of confidence after a successful camp at Nottingham University, followed by a 44-6 victory over the Royal Air Force.
Eight of last year’s squad remain, with Sam Druce, Charlie Greene, James Hill, Malikhi Lloyd-Jones, James Mason, Jacob Morgan, Matt Ross and James Woodburn-Hall aiming to put the disappointment of closing as runners-up in 2015 behind them. Matty Brewer and Jack Howdle, who missed out 12 months ago through, respectively, work-placement and injury, are in this year’s party.
New call-ups include Patrick Hargreaves and Sam Luckley, of Kingstone Press National 1 outfit Newcastle Thunder, while Brad Kislingbury has represented Gloucestershire All Golds. Sam Luckley (injury) and Matt Ross (work commitments) are, however, sidelined.
GB Teachers have strengthened following confirmation of a summer tour to Canada while all players in this summer’s Men’s and Women’s Associations’ Cups will, in addition to battling for their respective titles as immediate targets, also be hoping to impress ahead of next year’s Festival of World Cups, which will be held in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea as part of the build-up to the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Men’s squads are:
GB ARMED FORCES: James Hutchinson, Simon Wray, Liam Bradley, Chris Kellock, Jordan Andrade, Adam Flintham, Sam Coleman, Kez Cartmell, Joe Peters, Declan Baines, Steve Wicks, Micky Hoyle, Jordan Kirmond, Ben Taylor, Sam Carter, Tom Loxam, Ryan Matthews, Mike Cooper, Steve Gaskell.
Coach: Damian Clayton.
ENGLAND UNIVERSITIES: Danny Fallon, Bradley Kislingbury, James Mason (all Gloucestershire), Sam Druce, Charlie Greene (St Mary’s), Fraser Marjoribanks (Buckingham), Matthew Brewer, Shane Hill, Jack Howdle, Lewis Lord (Loughborough), Josh Hamilton, Ryan Langton, Jack Lazenby (Hull), Jacob Morgan, James Woodburn-Hall (Leeds), James Hill (Liverpool), Jason Bass (Newcastle), Jed Goddard (Huddersfield), Liam Wood (UCLAN), Malikhi Lloyd-Jones (Brunel), Marcus Stock (Sheffield), Matthew Ross (Nottingham Trent), Patrick Hargreaves, Sam Luckley (Northumbria), Stephen Batty (York St John), Zack McComb (Leeds Beckett).
David Butler is Team Manager, Baker is assisted by Dean Reacher, and Jocelyn Hurcombe and Christine Alderson are the physios.
GREAT BRITAIN TEACHERS: John Stryker (captain), Adam Walker, Phil Bainze, Carl Etherington, Darren Norman, Ian Sinfield, Scott Porteous, Andrew Raines, Gareth Jones, Joe Ramsden, Joey Mulligan, John Lawson, Liam Croker, Martin Ainscough, Matthew Brockson, Nick Shaw, Nick Woolley, Paul Hersnip, Robert Pawsey, Andrew Bennett, Roddy Jonas, Jon Christie, Charlie Woan and Chris Mugan.
Coach: Marc Simon
GB POLICE: John McCloud (captain), Jack Snowden, Chris Sheffield, Alex Clemie, Kieran Murphy, Ryan Heeley, Chris Smith, Joe Bownass, Tom Gallagher, Oliver Stirling, James Gross, Alex Daniels, Ben Marsden, Andrew Stanton, Jonty Morrissey, Gareth Jones, Matt Stringer, Ben Hanger, James Motum.
Coach: Adam Newton.
The Women’s Associations’ Cup, meanwhile, gets underway on Sunday 22 May with Stanningley again hosting the openers, between England Universities & Colleges and GB Teachers, and the Lionesses and GB Armed Forces.
Fixtures
MEN’S ASSOCIATIONS’ CUP
Wednesday 20 April 2016
GB Armed Forces v GB Police (6.00pm)
England Universities v GB Teachers (8.00pm)
At Stanningley, Leeds
Wednesday 11 May 2016
England Universities v GB Police (6.00pm)
GB Armed Forces v GB Teachers (8.00pm)
At Wigan St Patrick’s
Wednesday 8 June 2016
GB Police v GB Teachers (6.00pm)
GB Armed Forces v England Universities (8.00pm)
At Featherstone Rovers
WOMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS’ CUP
Sunday 22 May 2016
England Universities & Colleges v GB Teachers (1.00pm)
GB Armed Forces v Lionesses (3.00pm)
At Stanningley, Leeds
Sunday 26 June 2016
Lionesses v GB Teachers (1.00pm)
England Universities & Colleges v GB Armed Forces (3.00pm)
At Wigan St Patrick’s
Sunday 10 July 2016
GB Teachers v GB Armed Forces (1.00pm)
Lionesses v England Universities & Colleges (3.00pm)
At Featherstone Rovers
