England's Drexel double-header
ENGLAND head coach Dave Elwood is looking to cast his eye
over potential World Cup players, tonight and tomorrow, when
the national team take on top U.S. side Drexel University.
Elwood and team manager Greg Caplin have selected 42 players
who they will field against Drexel at Wilmslow Lacrosse Club
during the next two days.
The plan is to play all 39 players during the two evenings,
a chance for the international hopefuls to 'showcase their
talent' before a tour to Philadelphia, which starts on October
16.
England were due to play Drexel in Dublin earlier this week,
but the cost of the trip proved too expensive.
Elwood wants to assess the improvement of players after summer
training, with many of the squad's younger players having
played against American touring sides for their clubs.
"We've split the squad down the middle and we're going
to give everyone a chance," said Elwood, who is confident
his team can be successful in Canada, next year.
"We were going to play Yale University and another American
side, but that never materialised, so this is our first proper
opporunity to see the team play together."
The England squad have been on a team-building exercise already
this year - and a team ethic is very much a priority for Elwood
and co.
"Of course we'd like to win both of these games, but
we're more concerned with the performance from players,"
he added.
"Winning would be a bonus, but we've picked two sides
and we'll have a look at which combinations work, and which
don't."
There will be a number of debutants for the national side
with goalkeeper Casey Hughes (Wilmslow); Tom Gallon and Josh
Shingler (Manchester Waconians); James Morris and Joe Singleton(Stockport);
and Sam Dunwoodie (Heaton Mersey) all being given the opportunity
to shine.
"We've got a young squad, but age doesn't bother us,"
said Elwood.
"If the players are good enough for the World Cup and
have the commitment they have a good chance of being picked."
Elwood and Caplin hope to whittle down the England squad
to around 30 players by the time they return from Philadelphia.
Six games in as many days will provide the national side
with a World Cup-esque experience, where the players will
be tested physically and mentally without much rest.
The plan is to then select a 23-man team in January 2007,
with a number of travelling reserves.
"It's going to be a long road to Ontario, but we are
working hard to eliminate the mistake of Perth in 2003 and
will be looking for a marked improvement across the board.
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