Martin Johnson names 44-man England summer tour squad
After retaining his position as head coach of England following the 2010 Six Nations, Martin Johnson has named his 44-man squad ahead of his side’s summer tour of Australia and New Zealand.
The big news surrounds captain Steve Borthwick, who misses out after failing to overcome tendinitis in the knee. Flanker Lewis Moody is expected to take the captain’s role, although as yet, no captain has been named for the tour.
Meanwhile, nine uncapped players have been given the nod by the England head coach. All have been handed the chance to impress ahead of the 2011 Six Nations, and even more crucially, the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
David Attwood, Dominic Waldouck, Jon Golding, Geoff Parling, Rob Webber, Joe Simpson and Dan Ward-Smith are among those untested players in the squad looking to make an impression during the five Tests on the tour.
In a squad of few surprises, Olly Barkley’s inclusion is perhaps the biggest. The Bath centre has not played for England since 2008, but thanks to his recent inspirational form for the Guinness Premiership semi-finalists, Johnson has found a place for the 28-year-old in his 44-man squad.
Elsewhere, former New Zealand rugby league star Shontayne Hape retains his place in the squad after being called up for the Six Nations in February; and Hendre Fourie, the South African-born Leeds flanker, will also travel to the Southern Hemisphere this summer.
England will play two Tests against Australia this June, before three midweek matches against the Australian Barbarians and New Zealand Maori.
With the forthcoming World Cup also due to be played in Oceania, this summer’s tour should provide Johnson’s side with some invaluable experience. Johnson will be hoping to get a few early ideas of who to include in his squads building up to the World Cup.
Before his side departs for Australia, they will first play Barbarians at Twickenham on May 30th. Wasps’ departing fly-half Danny Cipriani, who is not included in Johnson’s 44-man squad, will also miss this match before the tour because of a broken thumb.
For Johnson, preparations for the World Cup begin now. Those who struggle to make an impression this summer may not have another chance to showcase their credentials. While England will be looking to give their Southern Hemisphere opponents something to think about ahead of rugby’s premier competition next year.
England 44-man squad to tour Australia and New Zealand:
Forwards: Dylan Hartley, Lee Mears, Steve Thompson, Rob Webber; Dan Cole, Jon Golding, Paul Doran-Jones, David Flatman, Tim Payne, David Wilson; David Attwood, Courtney Lawes, Tom Palmer, Geoff Parling, Simon Shaw; Steffon Armitage, Tom Croft, Nick Easter, Hendre Fourie, James Haskell, Lewis Moody, Chris Robshaw, Dan Ward-Smith, Joe Worsley.
Backs: Delon Armitage, Chris Ashton, Matt Banahan, Mark Cueto, Ben Foden, Ugo Monye, David Strettle; Mathew Tait, Mike Tindall, Dominic Waldouck, Olly Barkley, Shontayne Hape; Toby Flood, Shane Geragthy, Charlie Hodgson, Jonny Wilkinson; Danny Care, Joe Simpson, Richard Wigglesworth, Ben Youngs.
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