England have selected a new team for the second game of a South African rugby tour against a Barbarians selection in Kimberley on Wednesday.
None of the starting line-up that suffered a 22-15 first Test loss to the Springboks has been included in a team that will be skippered by lock George Robson from Harlequins.
Robson follows in the leadership footsteps of club-mate and flank Chris Robshaw, who captained the Six Nations runners-up at Kings Park in Durban last Saturday.
“George has had a tremendous season, has made a great contribution to this tour already, both in training and as part of the leadership group, and I know he will captain the team well,” coach Stuart Lancaster said in a statement.
Inside centre Jordan Turner-Hall, scrum-half Danny Care and hooker Joe Gray are other stars from the London club who have been included for the first of two midweek games against the ‘Baa Baas’ on the three-week tour.
Premiership runners-up Leicester Tigers supply three of the team selected by Lancaster in outside centre Anthony Allen, lock Graham Kitchner and eighthman Thomas Waldrom.
Flank James Haskell, a late arrival on tour because of Super Rugby commitments with New Zealand side Otago Highlanders, gets his chance to push for a Test place on June 16 in Johannesburg and June 23 in Port Elizabeth.
Nick Abendanon, who flew to Johannesburg for a wedding and joined the squad Monday as a replacement for injured full-back Mike Brown, is among the replacements.
“Every one of the 22 is desperate to play. They have trained superbly and their attitude while waiting for a chance has been first class,” stressed Lancaster.
“There is a lot of competition for places across the board and Wednesday gives these players a chance to lay down a marker, and for the whole squad to build some momentum toward the Saturday Test.
“Only Ugo Monye and Alex Corbisiero will not have had any game time by the end of Wednesday, but there are still three games to go amd their opportunity will come.”
Barbarians have chosen players from the second tier of the domestic Currie Cup competition and the Kimberley team is captained by Eastern Province Kings inside centre Wayne Stevens.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
The Western Force have landed a blow on their Australian rivals the Brumbies, luring Test second-rower Darcy Swain away from the nation’s capital. The…
The Waratahs’ hopes of making a late season surge to make the top eight have copped a blow, with hooker Julian Heaven the latest…
Josh van der Flier would have been checking his ribs after the massive hit from Curtis Langdon.
The Australian women's Sevens team have fallen just short of being crowned regular-season champions, losing 31-21 to New Zealand in the Singapore Sevens final.…
It was a difficult weekend for Hall and Oates fans, with news coming through of the duo’s official split. Never mind that their last…
Justin Harrison was absolutely loving this. The ex-Wallaby got his hands on footage of Stephen Larkham playing some fourth-grade rugby and used it to…
