ENGLAND HEAD COACH Stuart Lancaster has named seven uncapped players in his squad to face New Zealand in a three-Test tour next month.
The widely-expected return of Danny Cipriani is a talking point, and it would be fascinating to see the in-form Sale Sharks out-half make his first international appearance since 2008.
Lancaster will add further players to this initial selection after the Premiership final and Barbarians v England XV clash this weekend, although injury concerns over the likes of Owen Farrell, Mako Vunipola and Anthony Watson complicate matters somewhat.
Bath playmaker George Ford and Anthony Allen of Leicester have been ruled out of the tour through injury.
England’s uncapped players:
Worcester Warriors’ Chris Pennell suffered relegation from the Premiership this season, but an international debut against the All Blacks might ease that pain. The 27-year-old fullback is the son of former England cricketer Graham Dilley.
Exeter Chiefs’ hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie was playing for the England U20s last summer in the Junior World Championship. The 20-year-old has made just two Premiership starts in his career so far.
The 25-year-old Henry Trinder has previously been ignored in terms of international honours, but a strong season in the 13 shirt for Gloucester has pushed him into contention.
At 120kg, Ed Slater possesses the bulk to go into battle with the All Blacks, and the 25-year-old is coming off the back of an excellent season for Leicester. The 6ft 5ins lock has already played for the England Saxons on a number of occasions.
Harlequins hooker Dave Ward has excelled under the coaching of Conor O’Shea this season, becoming one of the finest players in his position in the Premiership. The 29-year-old would is a latecomer to international rugby.
Newcastle Falcons’ tighthead prop Kieran Brookes is still only 23 and has much to learn, but his form for the Premiership side has caught Lancaster’s eye. Has previously represented the Saxons. [Edit: Brookes was capped for Ireland at U18, U19 and Exiles U20 levels, as pointed out by Ed Ryan in the comments section.]
A second uncapped Harlequins hooker comes in the shape of Joe Gray, the 25-year-old who came through at Northampton. Made just five starts in the Premiership this season and if Dylan Hartley joins the squad, may not feature.
Initial 30-man England squad to face New Zealand:
Forwards:Joe Marler (Harlequins), Matt Mullan (London Wasps), Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons), Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks), David Wilson (Bath Rugby), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Gray (Harlequins), Dave Ward (Harlequins), Rob Webber (Bath Rugby), Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), James Haskell (London Wasps), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins).
Backs: Danny Care (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Henry Trinder (Gloucester Rugby), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Marland Yarde (London Irish), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Chris Pennell (Worcester Warriors).