Germany name extended squad for November tests

Germany coach Kobus Potgieter will run the rule over 38 players in an extended group for the November test series. His charges will face an all-Americas lineup with Brazil, USA, and Chile on successive weekends starting this coming Saturday. The bulk of Germany’s test regulars are included but also 11 uncapped players who will have an opportunity to stake their claim for a spot in the Rugby Europe Championship.

By far the largest representation from any club in the side is Heidelberger RK. The professional club funded by businessman Hans-Peter Wild – also Chairman of Stade Français – contributes 18 players in all to the group including co-captains Michael Poppmeier and Sean Armstrong.

Joining Poppmeier in an ever-improving forward pack are impressive loosehead prop Julius Nostadt, France-based hooker Mikael Tyumenev, and former Albi tighthead Samy Füchsel. La Rochelle lock Eric Marks returns as does former Newcastle Falcons academy flanker Sebastian Ferreira.

Tyumenev’s clubmate Tim Menzel will provide competition for Armstrong at the scrumhalf position and Vannes flyhalf Christopher Hilsenbeck provides a high caliber goal-kicking option. Versatile inside back Raynor Parkinson is set to play in the midfield with 22-year-old Tarbes prospect Mathieu Ducau likely to feature at outside centre.

The new names include experienced English lock Adam Preocanin, formerly of Ealing Trailfinders and London Scottish, who qualifies through a German grandparent. Welsh-based Luke Dyckhoff is called for the frist time and there are places for South African loose forward Ayron Schramm and imposing Valence d’Agen second or back row Félicien Vergnon.

In the backs there is a call-up for New Zealand-born flyhalf Hagen Schulte, formerly of Glasgow Warriors, who looks certain to make his international debut in the coming weeks. Globe-trotting South African Wynston Cameron-Dow has also spent time in New Zealand and is capable of covering across the backline.

Among the notable absentees are Castres prop Damien Tussac and midfield pair Carlos Soteras-Merz and Clement von Grumbkow. Carcassonne winger Maxime Oltmann is another expected name who will not be playing the November series.

FORWARDS
Julius Nostadt (Handschusheim), Jörn Schröder (HRK), Thore Schmidt (HRK), Matthias Schösser (Aberdeen, UK), Dasch Barber (HRK), Mark Fairhurst (Neckarsulmer), Dale Garner (Luctonians, UK), Mikael Tyumenev (Strasbourg, FR), Marcel Becker (Frankfurt), Anthony Dickinson (RG Heidelberg), Samy Füchsel (HRK), Marcel Henn (Frankfurt), Eric Marks (La Rochelle, FR), Michael Poppmeier (HRK), Adam Preocanin (Old Elthamians, UK), Timo Vollenkemper (HRK), Luis Ball (HRK), Kehoma Brenner (HRK), Luke Dyckhoff (Bargoed, UK), Jarrid Els (HRK), Sebastian Ferreira (HRK), Jaco Otto (HRK), Ayron Schramm (HRK), Félicien Vergnon (Valence d’Agen, FR)

BACKS
Sean Armstrong (HRK), Tim Menzel (Strasbourg, FR), Christopher Hilsenbeck (Vannes, FR), Nikolai Klewinghaus (Neuenheim), Hagen Schulte (HRK), Marcel Coetzee (HRK), Mathieu Ducau (Tarbes, FR), Jamie Murphy (Bridgend Ravens, UK), Raynor Parkinson (HRK), Steffen Liebig (HRK), Pierre Mathurin (HRK), Mark Sztyndera (Frankfurt), Harris Aounallah (Dijon, FR), Wynston Cameron-Dow (Frankfurt)

FIXTURES
Nov 11 – vs Brazil – Bruno Plache Stadion, Leipzig
Nov 18 – vs USA – Brita Arena, Wiesbaden
Nov 25 – vs Chile – Sparda Bank Hessen Stadion, Offenbach