Hopper among five new faces in England Saxons
By RFU Press Office
January 23 2012
MATT HOPPER (Harlequins) called into the England Saxons squad training
| Hopper among five new faces in England Saxons squad to face Wolfhounds at Exeter | ||||
MATT HOPPER (Harlequins) continues his remarkable rise after being called into the England Saxons squad training to face the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds at Sandy Park, Exeter, on Saturday (5pm). Centre Hopper, who was born in the city, is one of five new players named in the 25-man group alongside scrum half Paul Hodgson (London Irish), prop Rupert Harden (Gloucester Rugby), lock Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers) and flanker Kearnan Myall (Sale Sharks). Hodgson and Harden are temporary injury replacements for Karl Dickson (Harlequins) and Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks). Hopper, Slater and Myall step up in place of Henry Trinder (Gloucester Rugby), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers) and Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby), who have joined the senior squad training in Leeds this week. Hopper’s call-up comes after just 11 first-team games for Harlequins following his spells in the RFU Championship at Plymouth Albion and Cornish Pirates. He returns to Devon where he learned the game at Exeter Chiefs before playing for local junior club Wessex. “He’s done well every time I’ve seen him and really deserves his chance,” said England Saxons coach Jon Callard. Slater and Harden make their first appearances at this level, Myall returns after first featuring for the Saxons in the 2010 Churchill Cup and experienced scrum half Hodgson, who won the last of his nine England caps two years ago, “will bring his energy and experience to the group”. Saxons coaches Callard and Simon Hardy have an experienced contingent of backs, including British & Irish Lion Ugo Monye and World Cup squad members Matt Banahan, Delon Armitage as well as the likes of in-form Gloucester duo Freddie Burns and Jonny May. Up front Harden, 25, Myall, 25, and Slater, 23, join a group of forwards with an average age of 24 years nine months. “This squad has got a great deal of longevity,” said Callard. “They’ve all got something to offer to the national team, whether they’re coming down from the senior squad, or they’ve been injured, or if they’re young players going up. Everyone’s got a contribution to make and it’s all about the future.” The Saxons assemble at Woodbury Park in Devon today and the side to face the Wolfhounds is due to be named on Thursday, January 26. England Saxons squad Backs Forwards |
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Monday January 23, 2012
MATT HOPPER today reflected on the “whirlwind” first season in the top flight that has earned him an England Saxons call-up after making just 11 first team appearances for Harlequins.
The blond-haired centre was signed from Championship side Cornish Pirates last summer, starting the season behind George Lowe in the Quins’ midfield pecking order.
He didn’t feature in the side until appearing as a replacement in the LV=Cup against Sale Sharks in October before Lowe’s ankle injury opened the way for a first start against Gloucester in the Heineken Cup in November. He scored in that game and has been there ever since.
His Saxons’ selection makes for a happy homecoming. Hopper was born in Exeter, his father Keith captained the Chiefs in the 1960s and Matt played for their junior sides and for local club Wessex before his rugby journey took him to Cardiff University, Manly, Plymouth Albion and the Pirates. He’ll be able to celebrate his 27th birthday with his nearest and dearest on the day after the game.
“I’m obviously really happy to get the call and very excited about joining up with the Saxons,” said Hopper. “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind over the last few months. I’ll have a lot of family and friends watching and playing at Exeter is a nice bonus for me. Just to be part of it is really something.”
At 26, Hopper might be classed as a late developer but he always believed he could make it to the top. He starred in the Pirates side beaten in the Championship play-offs then seized his chance to show his blend of pace, footwork and handling skills measured up in the Aviva Premiership.
“I’ve always had confidence in my own ability and what I could do,” he said.
“I’ve been lucky in as much that an unfortunate injury to George Lowe opened the door for me to get a run of games. I’m very grateful for Quins for giving me the chance and I hope I’ve repaid them over the last couple of months.
“Last year was a good one at Pirates, then I had a chat with Conor (O’Shea) and Tofty (Mark Mapletoft) and they told me about Harlequins and their plans. They sold it pretty well and Quins are playing a really exciting brand of rugby.
“So far there have been plenty of highlights, making my first start in the Heineken Cup against Gloucester, playing at Twickenham in front of 80,000 and winning away at Toulouse was the most special. I’m sure it’ll go down in the club’s history.”