TEST RUGBY RESULTS: 18 June

18.06.2011
England Saxons 37, Canada 6 in Gloucester (Churchill Cup, Final)
Italy ‘A’ 27,Tonga 18 in Gloucester (Churchill Cup, Playoff 3^rd-4^th)
United States 32, Russia 25 in Gloucester (Churchill Cup, Playoff 5^th-6^th)
Uganda 58, Madagascar 30 in Kampala (CAR Division 1B)
Reunion v Mauritius in Port Louis (Indian Ocean Championship)-no result yet

Briefly
England Saxons took out the Churchill Cup for 2011. Sadly, it has been announced that this will be the final year that the Churchill Cup will be played. It begs the question what happens to test rugby for United States and Canada? Their will certainly be a void in the North American calendar for 2012 unless something happens.

Italy ‘A’ grew in confidence as the tournament progressed. They defeated a disappointing Tong in the 3rd-4th playoff. This was not the top team Tonga could have produced. Many top players were not included in the Churchill Cup squad. It will be interesting to see how many Italians and Tongans from these two teams make the World Cup squads.

The USA finally got a win and left the Russian’s rueing their chances of a win at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The Russians gained confidence as the tournament progressed and would be pleased with some of their performances but losing this final game would be a blow.

Uganda completed Madagascar’s horror run at the CAR Division 1B tournament. Uganda led 48-7 at half time so the ‘Makis’ came back strongly in the second half. According to reports the ‘Makis’ lack height and extra muscle in the forwards but they are all magnificent runners with ball in hand, from 15 to 1. Madagascar survives to play in Division 1B again next year.

The result of the CAR 1B tournament is the Zimbabwe is promoted to CAR Division 1A for 2012. Ivory Coast was an automatic relegation to Division 1C for 2012 as they ‘no showed’ for this tournament.