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Rugby Union

Cipriani covers Abendanon's Saxons spot

31/05/2007

Wasps' youngster Danny Cipriani will move into the England Saxons full-back role for Saturday's Churchill Cup final against New Zealand Maoris.

Nick Abendanon's call-up to Brian Ashton's stricken senior squad has meant the second-string side have had to shuffle their back division to cover his absence.

With Cipriani moving into the back three, Abendanon's Bath colleague Olly Barkley has stepped in to fill the number ten shirt after a stint in the centres.

Nils Mordt is the man to benefit from Abendanon's promotion as he makes his first start of the tournament in a midfield partnership with Kevin Sorrell.

Saxons' coach Jim Mallinder claimed that despite the loss of the star performer from his side's victory over Scotland A on Monday, he was happy to reorganise if it helped out his counterparts in South Africa.

"I'm absolutely delighted for Nick. I thought the way he performed against Scotland A on Monday — and the form he's shown all season for Bath — would have put him in Brian's reckoning and I'm really pleased his chance has come a little sooner than expected," he said.

Mallinder's team face a tough task to prevent their opponents retaining the trophy they won in Canada last year.

The Maoris have run in 50 points in each of their pool victories over Ireland A and Canada.

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