No.10 Jersey not decided, says Stuart Lancaster - Rugby News Update
England Coach Stuart Lancaster claims that the England’s number 10 jersey is still undecided ahead of Sunday’s game against the mighty Barbarians.
England boss Lancaster admits that Saracens’ Owen Farrell is the favorite for the role, after he had proven his ability to lead the side in last summer's RBS 6 tournament. But Lancaster insists that nothing has been decided as yet.
"If you define the squad early, you potentially shut the door on a lot of players," he said.
Farrell’s team-mate, Charlie Hodgson, and Leicester player Toby Flood are also the favorites to captain the side. The 20-year old Farrell will play inside centre and Saracens’ Charlie Hodgson will start as fly-half against the Barbarians in Sunday’s non
cap game.
"It is a likely scenario that Owen will be seen in that 10 role. He finished the Six Nations in that position. It is up to the others to prove they should be wearing it. They all offer different things. Charlie can play flat
to the line, Toby engages defenders and brings huge experience and Owen has a good core skill set and his temperament is excellent,” said Lancaster.
England Boss is expecting Flood to be fit for the game as he is named on the bench for the Aviva Premiership final against Harlequins.
Saracens’ fly-half will be 34 years old by the time England host the World Cup in 2015, which means that the now 31-year-old player will be in the upper end of the age bracket. Lancaster believes that the value and presence of the veteran player will play
an important role for building up the squad for the next World Cup.
England coach Lancaster, will keep experimentation to a minimum for the game against the Barbarians, his intention is to use this game as a warm-up match before they leave to tour South Africa.
England named three uncapped players for the three-Test series against the no.3 ranked South Africa. Wasps' wing Christian Wade, rookie flanker Carl Fearns, and Exeter loose-forward Tom Johnson are the uncapped players in the powerful England squad.
The winger Wade is chosen ahead of David Strettle and could make his first appearance in the English jersey in Sunday’s game, after he has proven his ability in the Aviva Premiership for the Wasps.
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