Strong England line-up for Barbarians
Wed, 14 May 2008 15:31
England will prepare for their June tour to New Zealand by fielding a strong side against the Barbarians in the Gartmore Challenge at Twickenham on June 1.
The domestic league season is already over for sixteen of the 32-man squad and the Rugby Football Union's (RFU) Elite Rugby Director Rob Andrew can see a potential team taking shape.
"England fans will be able to get the first view of the majority of the touring squad when we take on the Barbarians at Twickenham," said Andrew.
"Sixteen [players] have already finished their season and it's five weeks from their last game to the first Test in New Zealand, so they'll need a game and we expect the England side to be a strong one.
"If you look at the likes of Mathew Tait, Jamie Noon, Toby Flood, David Strettle, Charlie Hodgson, Topsy Ojo, Mike Brown, Richard Wigglesworth, Danny Care and Peter Richards, you start to have a good idea of the backline quality there already.
"The only consideration is that we might have to add in one or two from the Saxons group depending on results of the Guinness Premiership semifinals and Bath's involvement in the European Challenge Cup Final," added Andrew.
Among the players the Barbarians have invited to appear against England are Schalk Burger, Fourie du Preez, Gareth Thomas, Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, Felipe Contepomi, Ollie le Roux, Sebastien Chabal and Regan King.
