Rugby Test: Denmark Must Win

11.04.2009
Denmark v Norway in Odense (WCQ Euro. R5; ENC 3B)

Preview
These two Scandanavian nations have not played each other at the senior men's test level since 1998. Norway was still just an emerging nation ten years ago. Prior to that these nations meet regularly when playing for the Nordic Cup, which has since disappeared off the international calendar. On Saturday the old historical rivals meet in European competition circles for the first time since 1991.

Denmark has long been one of the stronger Scandanavian countries playing international test rugby. At present, though, they languish at the bottom of this division having been relegated from ENC 3A in 2008. Denmark suffered a shock loss away to Hungary 12-39 in its first match of this round back in October last year. They suffered another shock defeat, this time at home to newcomer Slovenia 19-24 to plunge the Danes to the bottom of the table. A win on Saturday is essential if they are to begin to climb there way back to the top of this division

Norway lost to Hungary 15-26 at home back in September and then defeated Austria 11-3 at home. The Norwegians have remained static in this division for two years.

Test Rugby: Norway v Austria. Image thanks to www.rugby.no

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Denmark 30th, Norway 31st.

Prediction: Denmark by 7 points

Teams

Denmark Squad
Kristian R. Andersen (Holstebro)
Søren Brobyskov, Capt. (CSR/Nanok RK)
Matias Dinesen (Frederiksberg RK)
Niels B. W. Godtfredsen (Aarhus RK)
Andrew Grantham (Aarhus RK)
Jonas Haaning (Frederiksberg RK)
Mikkel Jakobsen (Aarhus RK)
Christian S. Jensen (Aarhus RK)
Niels Bjerg Jensen (CSR/Nanok RK)
Jesper G. Jensen (Lindø)
Johannes Mackeprang (RK Speed)
Sylvester Michaelsen (Aalborg)
Rasmus Mortensen (Aarhus RK)
Rasmus N. Mortensen (Aalborg)
Kasper Vad Pedersen (RK Speed)
Nathanael Smalley (Aarhus RK)
Johannes Soussan (CSR/Nanok RK)
Edward Stafford (Haywards Heath RFC, England)
Kenneth Steel (CSR/Nanok RK)
Kristoffer Vandborg (Frederiksberg RK)
Kiwa Whatarau (CSR/Nanok RK)
Dominick Wilson (Barnes RFC, England)
Head Coach:



http://www.rugby.dk/index.php?option=co ... 8&Itemid=2
Thanks to ‘Quentin’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3076

Norway Squad
Kristoffer Borsheim (Stavanger RK)
Thomas Bichard Breaud (Oslo RK)
Espen Engevik (Stavanger RK)
Karl Frisch (Bergen RK)
Andreas Fyri (Oslo RK)
Joseph Greenshields (Bergen RK)
Robert Greig (Tunbridge Wells RFC, England)
Andrei Hanger (Cheltenham RFC, England)
Karl Harper (Oslo RK)
Neal Hughes (Stavanger RK)
Francis Hunt (Oslo RK)
Stein Ove Kristensen (Trondheim RK)
Alexander Lewendon (Stavanger RK)
Eivind Lunde (Stavanger RK)
Pascal Raclin (Oslo RK)
Oliver Rogers (Tunbridge Wells RFC, England)
Stian Røstberg (Bergen RK)
Neil Ryan (Tønsberg RK)
Fredrik Skovly (Oslo RK)
Håkon Stengrimsen (Holstebro RK)
Johannes Stoltz (Oslo RK)
Roger Yttervik (Tønsberg RK)
Coaches: John Chappell and Oliver Rogers

http://www.rugby.no/les.asp?ID=666
Thanks to ‘Quentin’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3076

For up to date lists of all international rugby results for both Norway and Denmark go to www.rugbyinternational.net