Christian Wade to make debut for England – Rugby News Update
Christian Wade, the 21-year old London Wasps winger is set to make his debut for England, when they take on the Barbarians, before they embark on a three-match test series against South Africa.
Wade has been in sensational form for the Wasps, having already represented England at the U20 and Sevens level. He is the second highest try scorer in the Aviva Premiership, having scored nine times in 15 matches, and has truly established himself as one
of the rising stars of the league.
Stuart Lancaster, the head coach of England, does not want to take the Barbarians lightly and is trying to keep the focus of his team ahead of the clash. He will be without the services of Harlequins and Leicester Tigers' players, who are playing against
each other in the final of the Premiership this Saturday.
He said, "The players have been excellent this week and have been fully focused as we are looking to build on the momentum of the Six Nations. This is a really important milestone in our preparation for South Africa."
He wants England to replicate their form from the 2012 Six Nations, and is excited at the prospect of picking a team that will be similar in composition.
"Being able to name a back line very similar to the Six Nations and the strength we have in the forwards with the likes of Tom Johnson and Carl Fearns, who played in this game last year, is a real positive," added Lancaster.
It is a chance for players like Wade to make a first-team claim and cement a place in the England team.
England squad
Backs - B Foden (Northampton Saints), C Ashton (Northampton Saints), B Barritt (Saracens), O Farrell (Saracens), C Wade (London Wasps), C Hodgson (Saracens), L Dickson (Northampton Saints)
Forwards - M Stevens (Saracens), D Hartley (Northampton Saints), P Doran Jones (Northampton Saints), M Botha (Saracens), T Palmer (Stade Francais), T Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), C Fearns (Bath Rugby), P Dowson (capt, Northampton Saints)
Replacements - L Mears (Bath Rugby), M Mullan (Worcester Warriors), J Launchbury (London Wasps), J Gibson (London Irish), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), J Joseph (London Irish), A Goode (Saracens)
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