England summer tour of Argentina

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Updated prior to Consur XV game:

Forwards (18)
Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)
Rob Buchanan (Harlequins, uncapped)
Calum Clark (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Alex Corbisiero (London Irish, 18 caps)
Paul Doran Jones (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors, uncapped)
Joe Launchbury (London Wasps, 9 caps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 20 caps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 10 caps)
Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, 10 caps)
David Paice (London Irish, 6 caps)
Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Billy Vunipola (London Wasps, uncapped)
Rob Webber (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 26 caps)
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, captain, 18 caps)

Backs (14)
Mike Brown (Harlequins, 16 caps)
Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Ben Foden (Northampton Saints, 30 caps)
Alex Goode (Saracens, 11 caps)
Jonathan Joseph (London Irish, 4 caps)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
David Strettle (Saracens, 13 caps)
Joel Tomkins (Saracens, uncapped)
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 4 caps)
Christian Wade (London Wasps, uncapped)
Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 12 caps)
Marland Yarde (London Irish, uncapped)

With Kearnan Myall and Haydn Thomas added to the squad for the Barbarians game.

Sides for the Consur XV game - KO 19.30

England: Ben Foden (Northampton Saints); Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), David Strettle (Saracens); Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens); Joe Marler (Harlequins); David Paice (London Irish); Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks); Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints); Kearnan Myall (Unattached); Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, captain); Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Billy Vunipola (London Wasps)

Replacements: Rob Buchanan (Harlequins), Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Paul Doran Jones (Northampton Saints), Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby), Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors) 21 Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)

CONSUR XV: Tomás Carrió (Argentina); Belisario Agulla (Argentina), Francisco Sansot (Argentina), Juan Socino (Argentina), Leandro Leivas (Uruguay); Benjamín Madero (Argentina), Tomás Cubelli -C- (Argentina), Bruno Postiglioni (Argentina), Arturo Ávalo (Uruguay), Mario Sagario (Uruguay), Cesar Fruttero (Argentina), Pablo Huete (Chile), Tomás de la Vega (Argentina), Javier Ortega Desio (Argentina), Antonio Ahualli (Argentina)

Replacements: Alejo Corral (Uruguay), Óscar Durán (Uruguay), Nicolás Klapenbach (Uruguay), Diego Magno (Uruguay), Juan Gaminara (Uruguay), Agustín Ormaechea(Uruguay), Mosiés Duque (Brasil), Santiago Gbernau (Uruguay)

http://www.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/story/184014.html

The game contains plenty of developing players on both sides who won't have played together much so should be interesting. From an England perspective I can't to see how Foden does back in the 15 shirt and also really looking forward to Jonny May getting a chance on the wing as I've been pushing for him to be selected all season (and before that even!).

To be completely honest I know little about most of the Consur XV players but as a Tigers fan I'm looking forward to seeing Horacio Agulla's younger brother Belisario on the right wing. I always rated Horacio very highly and enjoyed his style of play so I'm hoping for much the same from Belisario!

Problem is Eddie that Baths lineout was one of the worst in the prem wasnt it....as Englands was in the 6n...

Was it GF? I didn't realise that about Bath. I'm not sure whether Attwood calls the lineout at Bath though, I thought it was one of Hooper or Day?

Attwood seems to add a bit of bulk, I continue to be very impressed with Launchbury (perhaps because he pops up a lot around the park).

One player for me who I desperately want to kick on is Twelvetrees, watching the baa baas game he seemed to be doing a lot of work in defence and attack. Familiarity with Burns could be a good asset.

How did Rob Buchanan get on? I'm willing him to leap frog Paice.

highlights on RFU website - didn't look like a great game to be honest, some of the try's scored by England were walkovers. And England really have to work on their defence abit more.

I think the test side will be something like this -
Corbis,
Webber
Wilson
Launchbury
Attwood
Wood,
Kvesic
Morgan
L.Dickson
F.Burns
Wade
Twelvetrees
Joseph???
Yarde
Brown

Bench of
Marler, Buchanan, PDJ, Lawes, Vaunipola, Eastmond, Foden

I know - there is no 9 cover - SL may go back to the 2nd 15 option. Yarde, out Foden to wing and Wigglesworth on bench.

You can have another player on the bench, it's 23 man squads right?

Foden back up scrumhalf?

Actually - Eastmond's attributes seem right for scrum half

Yes, it is a 23man match day squad

GeordieFalcon wrote:King Carlos

Do you think Parling is the right player for England. He played well in the 6n and is a lion..but i think Launchbury is better...and we need more of a bruiser like Attwood or Slater alongside him.

Besides if we have Croft at 6 theres no need for Parling...

If Attwood keeps playing well in Argentina and Launchberry continues to impress he may find himself struggling for a place in the starting XV but I'd definitely say he's worth his place in the EPS. Croft is a great jumper and very good at reading the opposition line-out but doesn't actually call the line-out as much as many think.

Parling is great at set piece and in the tight plus he offers a solid carrying game in places that many people try to avoid carrying. I.e. if Parling sees that his scrum half needs someone to crash up slow ball he will happily run into a brick wall to do so. He may not make big yards but rarely goes backwards and has a great work rate.

Currently I'd like to think Launchberry, Parling and Attwood will get an EPS place if fit with Lawes and Slater fighting it out for the final spot. Lancaster may well give that place to Calum Clark though....

Nice looking squad that Propdavid, though I guess Wigglesworth would be the extra bench man?

Nice balanced backrow too

Yep add in Wigglesworth on the bench (though I'd like Thomas there) and that squad looks about right propdavid.

SL may well go for Foden starting over Yarde and Lawes over Attwood however. I'm really hoping to see Buchanan on the bench rather than Paice following his efforts against Consur XV though.

Streamed the match from ESPN South America, we learned next to nothing playing it unfortunately.

I like PropDavid's squad and (with the addition of Wigglesworth to make 23) could have no arguments if that was the named squad. Personally I'd go with Henry Thomas over Paul Doran-Jones, but that's a bit of a nit-pick, that's not a game-changing decision there.

On the second row issue, I think Attwood and Launchberry could be a very good second row partnership going forward, and if they play well together in Argentina they'll be the men in possession regardless of what Parling does with the Lions in my opinion. I really hope Lancaster doesn't go with Lawes as next cab of the rank though, his form hasn't been good recently and Attwood has played well enough to deserve a crack at making the shirt his.

Looking at back 5 of the scrum options in the EPS:
Locks: Attwood, Launchberry, Lawes, Parling
BS: Wood, Croft
OS: Robshaw, Kvesic
N8: Morgan, B Vunipola

Offers us not only talented individuals but also a blend of strengths if we want to go "horses for courses" in any match. Two potential captains in Wood and Robshaw there as well.

My Saxons would include Johnson and Waldrom who have spent time around the squad and could be promoted with minimal disruption to cover injuries at short notice, along with Slater, Kitchener, Kruis and Fraser who are very exciting prospects for the future and could break into the senior group next season. I think Slater has really missed an opportunity getting injured for this tour because he's definitely a prospect, but I don't think Lancaster can put him in the senior EPS over other players without having had a look at him in a squad first, either a summer tour squad or as an injury replacement.

robbo277 wrote:I think Slater has really missed an opportunity getting injured for this tour because he's definitely a prospect, but I don't think Lancaster can put him in the senior EPS over other players without having had a look at him in a squad first, either a summer tour squad or as an injury replacement.

Definitely agree with this, I was really looking forward to seeing what Slater could do for the senior squad. Would have liked Kitchener to go along as well, his MOTM performance against the Wolfhounds suggested he wouldn't have much trouble stepping up to international level. When I've seen Tigers games my impression has been that Slater is probably already a better version of Attwood and that Kitchener looks like he'll fast become a better version of Parling. They'll need another season or injuries to those that have already made their case to prove they're worthy of a place in the EPS now though.

bluestonevedder wrote:Nice looking squad that Propdavid, though I guess Wigglesworth would be the extra bench man?

Yes, that would work - hadn't realised that it was 23 squad.
From the sound of it, Foden is the only player to have played himself back into contention really.
Still not sure about Joseph and his form - but wouldn't be unhappy at giving him a chance in the test side.

RE: 2nd row options and EPS -
I do think that there will be 4 selected -
currently that will be - Parling, Launchbury, Lawes, Attwood.

Like others I feel that Slater has been really unlucky - I like what the guy brings to the team. There is a small chance that he can take that utility back row, 2nd row option that Calum Clarke currently fills - Injury doesn't seem to stop Clarke from being selected in squads.

Streamed the match from ESPN South America, we learned next to nothing playing it unfortunately.

Well i think we learned our defence needs to improve somewhat....

Anyway what i wanted to say was, whilst this may not be a game we learn much in...we have a duty to spread the game when we can...and what better than playing a game in Uruguay? Spread the word of the game...and the fact that this "development " SA team wasnt hammered, and put in some decent plays can hopefully inspire more people down there to give the game a try....

propdavid_london wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:Nice looking squad that Propdavid, though I guess Wigglesworth would be the extra bench man?

Yes, that would work - hadn't realised that it was 23 squad.
From the sound of it, Foden is the only player to have played himself back into contention really.
Still not sure about Joseph and his form - but wouldn't be unhappy at giving him a chance in the test side.

Foden's really been electric since the AP playoffs. His performance in the final was sublime, and he's carried that on in South America. I would love to see him really have a pop at a start in one of the tests, working off Twelvetrees shoulder or laying a platform for an attack with Wade, Yarde or May off his shoulder.

Agree about Joseph. He's undeniably quality, but I think is out of practice.

propdavid_london wrote:RE: 2nd row options and EPS -
I do think that there will be 4 selected -
currently that will be - Parling, Launchbury, Lawes, Attwood.

Like others I feel that Slater has been really unlucky - I like what the guy brings to the team. There is a small chance that he can take that utility back row, 2nd row option that Calum Clarke currently fills - Injury doesn't seem to stop Clarke from being selected in squads.

Like the possibility of that. Slater will be around the EPS next season I reckon, for sure. He's excellent at both the dfirty work and in open play. He's a lump too.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Streamed the match from ESPN South America, we learned next to nothing playing it unfortunately.

Well i think we learned our defence needs to improve somewhat....

Anyway what i wanted to say was, whilst this may not be a game we learn much in...we have a duty to spread the game when we can...and what better than playing a game in Uruguay? Spread the word of the game...and the fact that this "development " SA team wasnt hammered, and put in some decent plays can hopefully inspire more people down there to give the game a try....

It didn't even seem to be poor defense per se. The first try was a bit harsh to be given as a penalty try, but came on the back of Consur coming out fired up and up for the game. After that England came at Consur and pretty much steamrolled them for the rest of the second half. I think substitutions and a general apathy towards the opposition was more responsible than poor technique or defensive organisation for the last two tries, although I may be mistaking my apathy for the players' apathy.

It wasn't a great game. I agree there are other benefits and fair enough to playing the game. But as a development tool for England it was found wanting.

Interestingly it is Chris Robshaw's birthday today, bet he wishes he were in Australia or Argentina for it

Robbo,

Im not sure i would class that game as much of a develpment tool. Certainly the next two will be...

Argentina Matchday squad -
Moyano, Orlando, Tiesi, Contepomi (capt), Montero, Urdapilleta, Landajo, Leonardi, Macome, Cabello, Galarza, Lozada, Bustos, Veiga, Henn.

Replacements: Guidone, Roan, Kodela, Vallejos, De la Vega, Vergallo, Ascarate, Agulla.

Highlighted names I recognise. Looks like a bit of a development squad and a few experienced guys.
Argentina have said they will really focus on the contact area.

Looks like Argentina are saving a lot of the big names for the games against the SH3 later in the summer.

Contepomi is still around?? Jeez.

Its a shame - or perhaps they are saving a much stronger side for T2.

propdavid_london wrote:Its a shame - or perhaps they are saving a much stronger side for T2.

Havent they said this is a development tour and they are resting their best players for the rugby championship - hence contempomi's recall

Think I read somewhere this is his swansong,retiring after these matches.

Lancaster has said there are decisions to be made off the make up of back row and the bench

Yeah - maybe because some players haven't made the impact that was asked of them!

Johnston didn't work at 7.
Kvesick hasn't stood out there either.
Billy Vaunipola - how did he do? Does he deserve a spot in front of Morgan?

Do you pick Buchanan in front of Pace.
or H.Thomas in front of PDJ?

Wigglesworth or L.Dickson

Johnston didn't work at 7.
Kvesick hasn't stood out there either.

Agree neither have been outstanding...and Kvesic hasnt really looked like taking his opportunity. Having said that i'd still give him both the tests to see if he can find his feet. Players need to be given a chance to get used to the next level...not dropped after two games.

Billy Vunipola - how did he do? Does he deserve a spot in front of Morgan?

Well a hatrick on your debut aint bad. And his control at the base of the scrums looked seriously good. I think we may finally have two top class carrying 8's...id be happy with either starting...or one starting each with the other coming off the bench.

Do you pick Buchanan in front of Pace.

Yes you do Paice should be put to graze now...infact he should never have been in the squad....but Buchanan will be on the bench...as i suspect Webber will start the tests...

or H.Thomas in front of PDJ?

Curious one...if Quins can rejuvanate PDJ he could be very good, but just isnt there at the moment...THomas is a young prospect...either or for me.

Wigglesworth or L.Dickson .

Oh dear god....hopefully after this tour neither will wear an England shirt again. With Care, Youngs, Robson, Simpson etc...

Hi GF,
I got the impression from some pretty poor highlights that it was a bit of a cake walk for Billy - Still, the more gametime he can get the better. But still think that Morgan is ahead and also needs gametime for England after missing the latter 6N.
I'd pick Buchanan over Pace anyway too.
Again from poor highlights I got the impression that H.Thomas struggles a smidge with the referee - might be wrong though.

Oh absolutely...Billy was just at a canter for most of the game...but still did his bit.

Id start Morgan for the first test and Bring Billy on...then vice versa for the second. Add in Mako, Tom Youngs, Attwood, Slater...even Parling etc...and suddenly ball carrying doesnt look remotely the issue it was in the 6n...

We have numerous young TH's coming through..Sinkler, Knight, Scott Wilson...Thomas may find himself dropping down the list. Personally I might be biased but Scott Wilson looks a frightening propsect...and i know quin fans feel the same about Sinkler. And if Quins scum coach can do to PDJ what he did to Johnson...then he could be back up.

For the minute though...Davy Wilson is rejuvenated by Mr Gold (he's had the same effect on Attwood) at Bath...and he will start the tests.

Having taken a look at the highlights and adding in the Barbarians game this is the side I want to see for the Tests:

1. A Corbisiero
2. R Webber
3. D Wilson
4. J Launchbury
5. D Attwood
6. T Wood (C)
7. T Johnson
8. B Morgan
9. L Dickson
10. F Burns
11. M Yarde
12. B Twelvetress
13. J Joseph
14. C Wade
15. M Brown

16. R Buchanan 17. J Marler 18. H Thomas 19. C Lawes 20. B Vunipola 21. R Wigglesworth 22. K Eastmond 23. B Foden

Starting wise much the same as the Baa Baa's match. No one particularly forced their way in from the Consur game I don't think. Foden and Eastmond make the bench and cover the whole backline between them. Indeed arguably one could drop Wigglesworth and put Kvesic on the bench as well.

Kvesic needs a bit more time to settle and I don't think he looks ready yet to make a mark on the international stage. Johnson is currently a better Test player and i'd like to see him at 7.

Joseph's form hasn't been great but i'd like him to get some more game-time and he had some nice touches in the Barbarians game. I think he'll come good in one of these tests.

Out of those players i've selected for the first test these are the ones I see challenging for the Senior squad and who they will likely take a place from:

Dave Attwood - Callum Clark; if Attwood can continue to run a good line-out and maintain his input in the loose I think he's a shoo-in for the senior squad. He balances that squad well and adds another line-out option making him a strong bench contender.

Unlikely that Stu would drop Callum Clark but as he's ostensibly the 4th lock choice I don't see many other candidates. The only other option is James Haskell which is a possibility.


Rob Webber - Dylan Hartley; Webber adds a better carrying game at hooker and adds a lot of weight to the scrummage. It will depend on his performances but I say he's in with a good shout.

Likely that if he does get included it will be for Hartley as I don't see the need for three hookers.


Billy Vunipola - Thomas Waldrom; With his hat-trick score and some more performances around the park come test time I can see Vunipola taking a spot in the Senior squad. His development would come on well.

Likely to lose out is The Tank based on the fact that Lancs preferred any number of players over Waldrom for the vacant 8 spot in the 6N. I don't think he'll even make the Saxons.


Christian Wade/Marland Yarde - David Strettle; These two have an even chance of making the senior squad. Wade should be the front runner having spent time in the Saxons already.

I don't think Lancs will drop Ashton as he's been rested for this tour but it's a possibility. Strettle has this tour as a last chance to keep hold of his place. With three FBs in the squad i'd like to see Goode moved aside for one of these guys at present but I don't see it happening.

Kyle Eastmond is the other potential candidate but again I can't see anyone making way for him.

[quote="Chjw131"]Having taken a look at the highlights and adding in the Barbarians game this is the side I want to see for the Tests:

1. A Corbisiero
2. R Webber
3. D Wilson
4. J Launchbury
5. D Attwood
6. T Wood (C)
7. T Johnson
8. B Morgan
9. L Dickson
10. F Burns
11. M Yarde
12. B Twelvetress
13. J Joseph
14. C Wade
15. M Brown

16. R Buchanan 17. J Marler 18. H Thomas 19. C Lawes 20. B Vunipola 21. R Wigglesworth 22. K Eastmond 23. B Foden

That's a very good side - I would just change the 9's around

I agree Ruby on second viewing and remembering Dickson's last game in an England shirt that might not be a bad idea.

Wiggs gives better control but Dickson does add that tempo which England lack sometimes.

He adds tempo but he also comes with temperament and can be a liability. RW is a very classy SH IMO - I still like the look of that team though

[quote="RubyGuby"]

Chjw131 wrote:Having taken a look at the highlights and adding in the Barbarians game this is the side I want to see for the Tests:

1. A Corbisiero
2. R Webber
3. D Wilson
4. J Launchbury
5. D Attwood
6. T Wood (C)
7. T Johnson
8. B Morgan
9. L Dickson
10. F Burns
11. M Yarde
12. B Twelvetress
13. J Joseph
14. C Wade
15. M Brown

16. R Buchanan 17. J Marler 18. H Thomas 19. C Lawes 20. B Vunipola 21. R Wigglesworth 22. K Eastmond 23. B Foden

That's a very good side - I would just change the 9's around

Yeh, I agree that's a good side. The only change I would make is havong Kvesic at 7 over Johnson. I think the Argentinians will hit the breakdown very hard, and I just think Kveic offers more in that department.

Great side, I'd like Kvesic at 7 also though.

I'd take Johnson every time over Kvesic in such a physical battle - nice to have differing opinions though

Yup Kvesic hasnt made a huge impression as of yet...however its only his second game and he's been excellent all season.

I dont see any point in playing Johnson over him in these tests...

Let him get some gametime against some good opposition with no pressure of losing his spot.

I think we know that TJ isn't going to make a top flanker, I'd rather look for us to develop somebody who could be top class.

I don't see much between the two currently.

RubyGuby wrote:I'd take Johnson every time over Kvesic in such a physical battle - nice to have differing opinions though

Yeh, Johnson is an interesting one. He's more of a heavy weight than say Croft, but he also has exceptional athleticism and has a brilliant rugby brain. In a broken game, I'd certainly take Johnson over Kvesic, it's just I feel the Argies are going to come out strong and Kvesic could slow their ball down a little better. We'll see though! Certainly, Johnson has played very well so far, and was one of the few real positives from the CONSUR XV game.

I'm still not entirely sure what Marland Yarde has done to leapfrog Jonny May this tour. Yes he played reasonably well vs the Barbarians but he was nothing special and May, who was the best winger in the premiership since his return from injury, has been given very little opportunity to stake a claim for the shirt which should really be his.

I'd be tempted to put Foden in over Brown as I think he is simply a superior player with more class about him. Brown has been good for a couple of years now but Foden is a step above and is looking to be returning to the form that had everyone discussing him as one of the world's top fullbacks. Brown won't let us down but he won't reach the same heights that Foden can. Perhaps harsh on Brown but selection needs to be ruthless - pick the best player, not just the guy who's in possession of the shirt.

Agree with those going for Kvesic over Johnson. Kvesic is getting a bit of a raw deal on here I think. He was good without being particularly eye catching in the baabaas match, but apparently some are saying he's blown his chance already. This is silly. He's clearly an outstanding prospect and I'd rather give the experience to a developing 20 year old than an older player probably on his way out of the squad soon. Also, as with Foden and Brown, I think Kvesic is simply the better player - but perhaps needs to take a chance to prove it sooner rather than later.

Not sure about Joseph at 13. He's lucky to be on tour after a quiet season in a poor LI side. Tompkins would have started had he been fit to travel so Joseph is once again fortunate to be in the frame. He is another player of great potential so I wouldn't be disappointed to see him play and hopefully do well, but he doesn't fill me with confidence at the moment. I think I'd start Eastmond at 13 and give the centres licence to mix it up a bit. A midfield of Burns, Twelvetrees, Eastmond is packed full of creativity which I'd be really excited to see.

I really really rate Jonny May, and hope that he doesn't get the 'Sharples' treatment after his yellow card on Sunday.

The great thing about Yarde, Wade and may is that they are all very different styles of wingers, and the diversity will be excellent for England.

Yarde had a good performance against the BaaBaas, but I don't think he has yet jumped May in the pecking order.

Foden is really returning to form, and I think Goode could well be out of the EPS circle with Foden and Brown both playing well.

Joseph is lucky to be touring, you're right. But he held his own last summer against SA, but has suffered this season with injury and playing at fullback. I think SL just took a punt on him, and I fully expect Joseph to be reignited at Bath next season.

May at 13?

May is likely to end up as a 23, as he covers wing, 13 and FB so well and will make an impact in a broken field. Putting him at 13 in a playmaker field will make it a tad too lightweight, keep Manu there

jeffwinger wrote:I'm still not entirely sure what Marland Yarde has done to leapfrog Jonny May this tour. Yes he played reasonably well vs the Barbarians but he was nothing special and May, who was the best winger in the premiership since his return from injury, has been given very little opportunity to stake a claim for the shirt which should really be his.

I'd be tempted to put Foden in over Brown as I think he is simply a superior player with more class about him. Brown has been good for a couple of years now but Foden is a step above and is looking to be returning to the form that had everyone discussing him as one of the world's top fullbacks. Brown won't let us down but he won't reach the same heights that Foden can. Perhaps harsh on Brown but selection needs to be ruthless - pick the best player, not just the guy who's in possession of the shirt.

Agree with those going for Kvesic over Johnson. Kvesic is getting a bit of a raw deal on here I think. He was good without being particularly eye catching in the baabaas match, but apparently some are saying he's blown his chance already. This is silly. He's clearly an outstanding prospect and I'd rather give the experience to a developing 20 year old than an older player probably on his way out of the squad soon. Also, as with Foden and Brown, I think Kvesic is simply the better player - but perhaps needs to take a chance to prove it sooner rather than later.

Not sure about Joseph at 13. He's lucky to be on tour after a quiet season in a poor LI side. Tompkins would have started had he been fit to travel so Joseph is once again fortunate to be in the frame. He is another player of great potential so I wouldn't be disappointed to see him play and hopefully do well, but he doesn't fill me with confidence at the moment. I think I'd start Eastmond at 13 and give the centres licence to mix it up a bit. A midfield of Burns, Twelvetrees, Eastmond is packed full of creativity which I'd be really excited to see.

The reason I, personally have included Yarde over May is that he offers something different to Wade on the other wing and gives a bit more impetus to the backs balance rather than just having 36 providing the power.

I agree that May has waited too long in my opinion and certainly deserves a start. When it comes to my personal selection i'm always looking for balance and complimenting players. May would've made the bench had it not been for Eastmond's ability in the centres and Foden's chance to stake a claim for the starting FB shirt.

I started Brown on the basis of his lengthy kicking ability an area the argies will be seeking to test. There'll be some long plays for territory and I want Brown to remind us all that he can play that game with the best of them. Agree that Foden long-term is the better all round FB.

The Kvesic/Johnson question is an interesting one. I am normally someone who always champions the developing player and I have done so with Kvesic. I don't think his time has gone by any stretch of the imagination but I do feel that i'd rather see him settle at Glaws and put in some good HEC performances to push for honours come the AIs. What I don't want him to do is get swamped in a Test match and lose his confidence/supporters.

In this instance and bearing in mind we need to win this series Johnson is the better Test player without question. His attributes are perfect for the 7 role and I think he'll add to the pack. Just my call for this series.

Joseph is in a different situation having been with England for a while he has proven class and needs a run of games to re-establish his position at 13.

Im a bit confused with those pushing foe Johnson at 7 over Kvesic...

THis is a development tour against a strong opposition who themselves have named a strong development side.

We have a 20 yo, that has been outstanding for one of the lower league sides all season, and the type of 7 we have been looking for.

Why then play a guy who is a 6, has only been on the fringe of the England squad when the main players are in...and who is probably 10 years older?

On that basis Geordie Kvesic is your man - If you want to win the game against these guys then Johnson it is for me. It just depends on what the priorities are. For me Kvesic is being bigged up by a lot of people and I remain unconvinced that he will cut it at the highest level based on what Ive seen of him to date. He is however a great lad and works well in training so he has time on his side to develop and I would be more than happy if he proves me wrong