Predatory wing Miles Benjamin is aiming to finish a busy year on a high – by lifting the Churchill Cup on home soil and completing a special league and cup double!
Speedster Benjamin has enjoyed a stunning season for club and country over the last 12 months. The 23-year-old has rattled up an impressive 29 tries in 31 games in all competitions – including a staggering four hat-tricks.
The Solihull-born back has transferred his blistering form onto the international stage in recent weeks with a hat-trick as England Saxons overwhelmed USA Eagles in the opening game of the cup.
Benjamin is now hoping for a recall for Finals Day at the home of the Warriors this Saturday to finish his season in emphatic style by helping the Saxons retain the trophy against Canada (kick-off 4.30pm) in a repeat of the last cup final.
“It would be great to finish the season with a Churchill Cup win,” admitted Benjamin. “It’s great for the club (Worcester) that we get to host the finals day and hopefully plenty of fans will turn out to support all the teams
“It’s been a long, long season for me – it’s been 12 months when you think that we reported back with Warriors in June for the RFU Championship campaign.
“It’s been non-stop but a really pleasing year for me and the team, with promotion back to the Aviva Premiership.
“It was actually a surprise to get the call-up to the Saxons and not expected at all. But I got some reward for my season in the RFU Championship and I was determined to make an impact – hopefully I have done that.”
Benjamin has been a regular in the Red Rose of England in recent years. A former England Under-20 player, he scored two tries in the 18-13 win over Australia at Newport that took the side in the semi finals of the Junior World Championship in June 2008.
He also made his Saxons’ debut off the bench against Ireland A at Bath in January 2010 and scored a maiden try the following week in the 31-5 win over Italy A in Treviso.
Canada now stand in the way of England retaining the trophy on Saturday, but Benjamin insists the team need to focus on themselves to gain the right result.
He added: “What is important is that we concentrate on ourselves. We will look at our own patterns and make sure that we are ready for them and perform on the day.
“We have been pleased with how we have performed as a squad. We were dominant up front against Tonga with Matt Mullan, David Paice and Matt Stevens giving their front row a torrid afternoon. I have never known a game with three penalty tries like that – it’s certainly very rare.
“We also disrupted their lineout and controlled possession. We were physically very strong and came away with an important win on the back of what we did against USA Eagles. We now want to go well in the final.”
Watch Miles Benjamin and the England Saxons in Churchill Cup action this Saturday as it explodes into life at the home of the Warriors – three international games in one amazing afternoon!
Russia and USA Eagles battle it out in the Bowl Final (kick-off 12noon) before Tonga and Italy A lock horns in the Plate Final (kick-off 2.15pm).
The highlight of the day is the Cup Final between England Saxons and Canada (kick-off 4.30pm).
Tickets are just £15 for adults and £5 for children. Call the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183 or clicking HERE