South Africa tours excites Lancaster
ENGLAND coach Stuart Lancaster has revealed his “excitement” after including 13 uncapped players, and recalling James Haskell and Danny Care, to the squad for this summer’s tour to South Africa.
Following an impressive Six Nations campaign, Lancaster’s intent to continue introducing young talented players to his elite squad is clear.
Newly-crowned Premiership player of the year Chris Robshaw is retained as captain, while there are also recalls for Ugo Monye, Matt Mullan and Anthony Allen.
Of the uncapped players, the inclusion of hooker Tom Youngs, brother of scrum-half Ben, is the greatest surprise. He is joined by Joe Gray, Christian Wade, Graham Kitchener, Carl Fearns, Alex Goode, Joe Launchbury, Tom Johnson, Jonathan Joseph, George Robson, George Lowe, Thomas Waldrom and Joe Marler.
Though optimistic, Lancaster admitted South Africa represent a substantial challenge for his squad. He said: “There is real excitement about this squad. We have a massive challenge ahead of us but it is one that everybody involved, players, coaches and management, looks forward to.
“While certain players are not available because of inevitable injuries at this time of the season, we have been able to select the bulk of the Six Nations squad.”
SOUTH AFRICA TOUR
England squad
■ Forwards: Mouritz Botha (Saracens), Dan Cole (Leicester), Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Paul Doran Jones (Northampton), Phil Dowson (Northampton), Carl Fearns (Bath), Joe Gray (Harlequins), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), James Haskell (Otago Highlanders), Tom Johnson (Exeter), Graham Kitchener (Leicester), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Lee Mears (Bath), Ben Morgan (Scarlets), Matt Mullan (Worcester), Tom Palmer (Stade Francais), Geoff Parling (Leicester), Chris Robshaw (capt, Harlequins), George Robson (Harlequins), Matt Stevens (Saracens), Thomas Waldrom (Leicester), Tom Youngs (Leicester)
■ Backs: Anthony Allen (Leicester), Chris Ashton (Northampton), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins) Lee Dickson (Northampton), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Leicester), Ben Foden (Northampton), Alex Goode (Saracens), Charlie Hodgson (Saracens), Jonathan Joseph (London Irish), George Lowe (Harlequins), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), David Strettle (Saracens), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester), Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins), Christian Wade (Wasps), Ben Youngs (Leicester)
Tour dates
■ Saturday 9 June: First Test, Durban, 4pm
■ Wednesday 13 June: v SA Barbarians South, Kimberley, 1.30pm
■ Saturday 16 June: Second Test, Johannesburg, 4pm
■ Tuesday 19 June: v SA Barbarians North, Potchefstroom, 6.10pm
■ Saturday 23 June: Third Test, Port Elizabeth, 4pm
All times BST