The RFU Championship XV is an invitational rugby union team composed of English qualified players from the second-tier competition, the RFU Championship. The team was originally formed for a one-off match against a strong Māori All Blacks team as part of the 2012 end-of-year rugby union tests. However, on 10 September 2014, it was announced that the team will be re-formed for an uncapped match against Canada for the 2014 end-of-year rugby union internationals.
The 2014 fixture will see Martin Haag, head coach of Nottingham, take over from Mike Rayer, Bedford Blues head coach, who led the XV side to a 52–21 loss in the Māori All Blacks fixture. On that occasion, the match was played on 17 November 2012 at Castle Park, as part of the 2012 Māori All Blacks tour of United Kingdom, where the Māori side won two from three matches; 24–32 loss to Leicester Tigers, 52–21 win over RFU Championship XV and finally a 32–19 win over the XV's next opponent Canada.
Squads
2014 Squad vs Canada
On 10 October, Martin Haag announced the first 21 players that would represent the team against Canada on 2 November.
On 16 October, James Phillips was added to the squad.
On 27 October, Haag added a further 2 players to the team, in Jonny Arr and Max Maidment.
It was later announced that Jonny Arr had replaced Ryan Glynn, who withdrew from the squad due to injury.
On 31 October, Kieran Hallett was added to the squad to replace Dan Mugford, who was forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.
The final team to face Canada was announced on the 31 October.
- Head coach:
Martin Haag
2012 Squad vs Māori All Blacks
Previous matches
Māori All Blacks (2012)
| 17 November 2012 12:05 WET/GMT+0 (UTC+0) |
| RFU Championship XV | 21–52 |  Māori All Blacks |
| Try: Mama 22' m Crane 78' c Con: Roberts (0/1) Sharp 79' (1/1) | Report | Try: O'Donnell 14' c Baker 28' c Elliot 33' c Renata 53' c Dixon 56' m Wilson 63' c Graham 72' c Willison 75' m Con: Ripia (5/7) 15', 29', 34', 64', 73' Trent Renata (1/1) 54' |
| Castle Park, Doncaster Attendance: 4,956 Referee: David Rose (England) |
69'
71'
Coaches
- Mike Rayer (2012) - Assisted by Ian Davies
- Martin Haag (2014) - Assisted by Kevin Maggs
Captains
Gavin Cattle (2012)
See also
References
- Sixways to host Championship XV match against Canada Archived 2014-09-11 at the Wayback Machine
- Harvey, Neale (11 November 2012). "Pirates scrum-half in Championship squad". Independent (Plymouth). p. 58.
- Mantella and Bright Named In Championship XV Squad
- James Phillips Earns Call-Up To Championship XV Squad on London Scottish website, 10 October 2014 (archived)
- Max Maidment Added To Championship XV squad
- Jersey's Ryan Glynn is withdrawn from Championship XV squad
- Plymouth Albion duo start for Canada against Championship XV
- Championship XV team to face Canada unveiled
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