Stuart Lancaster confident of tactically out maneuvering the Springboks – Rugby News Update
Stuart Lancaster, the head coach of England is confident that his side can defeat South Africa in the opening test on Saturday, June 9.
England arrived in the southern hemisphere nation last week to play the Springboks in a three-match test series, along with playing two other midweek games. Lancaster feels that his tactical changes and maneuvering will help clinch the series.
He added that it is important to make brave decisions at times in the best interest of the team, and Lancaster feels that his changes will be vindicated by a positive result in the opening test.
Ben Foden, the Northampton Saints' fullback is going to be positioned in the left-back position, and Mike Brown of the Harlequins will be moved to No.15. This decision has been made because David Strettle is out injured with a calf-injury but Lancaster also
believes that having two fullbacks in the team gives his squad better shape defensively, while they will be more adept at dealing with the high balls.
"Mike has had an outstanding season," Lancaster said. "He brings a left-footed kicking game and great aerial skills along with Ben.”
"Ben is obviously a great strike runner as well. He has been great about it and he can see the benefits of how this can open his game up.”
"When you make these decisions there is an element that wonders how he will go in this situation but we have had 10 days together, and we have worked on it for those 10 days.”
Lancaster has also handed debuts to Joe Marler of the Harlequins and Tom Johnson of Exeter. It will be an intriguing first game, which will set the tone for the rest of the series.
England Squad:
England (v South Africa, Saturday ): M Brown (Harlequins); C Ashton (Northampton), M Tuilagi (Leicester), B Barritt (Saracens), B Foden (Northampton); O Farrell (Saracens), B Youngs (Leicester); J Marler (Harlequins), D Hartley (Northampton), D Cole (Leicester),
M Botha (Saracens), G Parling (Leicester), T Johnson (Exeter), C Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), B Morgan (Scarlets).
Replacements L Mears (Bath), P Doran Jones (Northampton), T Palmer (Stade Français), P Dowson (Northampton), L Dickson (Northampton), T Flood (Leicester), J Joseph (London Irish).
Tags: