Lawless updeat despite Middlesex defeat

10:21am Wednesday 7th May 2008

Middlesex were by no means disheartened by their 22-18 defeat at home to Gloucestershire in the Bill Beaumont Cup.

"We took a hiding 39-7 away to Gloucestershire last season and this time we could have beaten them, though I'm not saying we should have done," said Bob Lawless, Middlesex team manager.

"The England Counties selectors have been in touch regarding four of our players and in what is obviously a tight pool, with Somerset only narrowly losing away to Somerset, we are hoping for a win at home to Devon this week."

Middlesex were boosted against Gloucestershire by the performances in the second row of Dan Collier (London Welsh) and man of the match Matt Corker, who was one of three academy players made available by London Wasps.

"Our only Premiership team in the county is Wasps," Lawless said, "and, last year, they were battling for two titles to the end of the season and unable to release any academy boys.

"This year it is different and we are hoping to have one or two more made available this week.

"They have a quality which raises the performances of those around them."

Wasps scrum-half James Honeyben and wing Mark Odejobi - an England U20 grand slam winner this season - also impressed against Gloucestershire.

And Lawless expects London Welsh hooker Adam Kwasnicki - with 22 National League One appearances this season - to return to Middlesex colours this week.

Corker, Collier, Odejobi and Kwasnicki are the players under England Counties scrutiny ahead of the tour to USA and Canada in June.

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