Buchanan set for England call (From Croydon Guardian)

Buchanan set for England call

1:00pm Friday 18th January 2013 in Sport By Stuart Amos

Director of rugby Conor O’Shea admits an England Saxons call-up would  be the least young Quins hooker Rob Buchanan deserves – should it happen.
 

Buchanan was not named in head coach Stuart Lancaster’s second string last week, but injuries within the 32-man squad seems set to hand the England U20 international a place in the England set-up sooner rather than later.
 

It means both first choice number two Joe Gray and his 21-year-old understudy, will be unavailable for the forthcoming LV= Cup clashes with London Welsh and the Ospreys, but O’Shea has the fire power to cope.
 

“It looks like we will be without Joe Gray and Rob Buchanan for the LV games, but that gives Dave Ward and Harry Allen the chance to step up,” he said.
 

“Rob is a very talented young man and has performed brilliantly for us off the bench and starting games too.

“He got his chance with Chris Brooker injured and Joe also struggling with a muscle tear, and he has taken it with both hands.
 

“We’ll park the Heineken Cup to one side after this weekend. We have an exciting April to look forward to.
 

“But there is a lot of rugby to be played until then and we have told the squad success is about creating momentum, so winning our LV=Cup games is just as important too.”