England v Barbarians, 26 May

by **George Carlin** Wed 15 May 2013, 11:06 am

First topic message reminder :

England v Barbarians
26 May 2013
Kick off: 13:00 local
Twickenham Stadium

Match officials to be announced.

Might get a thread started about this now that the full Ba-bas squad has been announced.

1. Teams:
Barbarians: Hug

Elliot Daly
Takudzwa Ngwenya
Casey Laulala
Mike Tindall (captain)
Timoci Nagusa
James Hook
Dwayne Peel
Andrea Lo Cicero
Matthew Rees
James Johnston
Jim Hamilton
Marco Wentzel
Alessandro Zanni
Jonathan Poff
Imanol Harinordoquy

Replacements:
Schalk Brits
Duncan Jones
Paul James
Dean Mumm
Sam Jones
Dimitri Yachvili
Nick Evans
Rowan Varty

England rose

15. Mike Brown (Harlequins)
14. Christian Wade (Wasps)
13. Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)
12. Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)
11. Marland Yarde (London Irish)
10. Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
9. Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
1. Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)
2. Rob Webber (Bath Rugby, captain)
3. David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
4. Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)
5. Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)
6. Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs)
7. Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors)
8. Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)

Replacements
16. David Paice (London Irish)
17. Joe Marler (Harlequins)
18. Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks)
19. Kearnan Myall (Unattached)
20. Billy Vunipola (London Wasps)
21. Haydn Thomas (Exeter Chiefs)
22. Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)
23. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)

2. England squad

Forwards

Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby), Rob Buchanan (Harlequins), Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Kearnan Myall (Sale Sharks), David Paice (London Irish), Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks), Billy Vunipola (London Wasps), Rob Webber (Bath Rugby), David Wilson (Bath Rugby).

Backs

Mike Brown (Harlequins), Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), Jonathan Joseph (London Irish), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), David Strettle (Saracens), Haydn Thomas (Exeter Chiefs), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby), Christian Wade (London Wasps), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Marland Yarde (London Irish).

3. Barbarians squad

Backs

Jared Payne (Ulster), Rowan Varty (DeA Tigers & Hong Kong), Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympique & USA), Timoci Nagusa (Montpellier & Fiji), Joe Rokocoko (Bayonne & New Zealand), Elliot Daly (London Wasps), James Hook (Perpignan & Wales), Nick Evans (Harlequins & New Zealand), Kahn Fotuali'i (Ospreys & Samoa), Dwayne Peel (Sale Sharks & Wales), Dimitri Yachvili (Biarritz Olympique & France).

Forwards

Duncan Jones (Ospreys & Wales), BJ Botha (Munster & South Africa), Paul James (Bath Rugby & Wales), Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester & Italy), Andrea Lo Cicero (Racing Metro 92 & Italy), Matthew Rees (Scarlets & Wales), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Benetton Treviso & Italy), Schalk Brits (Saracens & South Africa), Marco Wentzel (London Wasps & South Africa), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester Rugby & Scotland), Dean Mumm (Exeter Chiefs & Australia), Samu Manoa (Northampton & USA), Francois Louw (Bath Rugby & South Africa), Sam Jones (London Wasps), Alessandro Zanni (Benetton Treviso & Italy), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais & Italy), Imanol Harinordoquy (Biarritz Olympique & France).

by thomh Thu 23 May 2013, 4:56 pm

Daly is also uncapped

by yappysnap Thu 23 May 2013, 6:23 pm

Here's hoping that Daly shines, but England still win!

Like that look of that Baabaa's team a lot. Hook at 10 is a relief he's as likely to win it for us as for the Baabaa's! Peel is a class act though and will help guide him, both need to be at their best to get that Gatlandesq centre combo moving.

Looking forward to seeing the England team that's picked, just want to be able to see Kvesic, Morgan, Burns, 36, Wade and Brown line up together. Tasty!

by sickofwendy Thu 23 May 2013, 8:19 pm

Daly is uncapped as well.

Oops....I must be blind Cool

by sad_gimp Fri 24 May 2013, 3:55 am

DeA Tigers, my club heart

by propdavid_london Fri 24 May 2013, 8:16 am

I cant help feeling that this BaaBaas team could have been stronger. I think England should win this game, even with the youngsters selected.
Its a big heavy pack and if England can stand up to it then it should be even odds.

by Geordie Fri 24 May 2013, 9:10 am

When is the team being announced?

by propdavid_london Fri 24 May 2013, 9:39 am

It must be at 12 today!

by Geordie Fri 24 May 2013, 9:48 am

Good stuff

by yappysnap Fri 24 May 2013, 10:59 am

Any shocks in store? Would it be a surprise if Billy V started over Morgan?

Oh and the side's announced at 11am so now!

by yappysnap Fri 24 May 2013, 11:00 am

Rob Webber captains youthful England
24 May 2013
Bath Rugby hooker to captain a young team against the Barbarians
Former England Under 20 stars Matt Kvesic and Marland Yarde also start

Photo: Getty Images
Rob Webber captains England for the first time against the Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday.

The Bath Rugby hooker leads a youthful side with 21 year-olds Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors) and Marland Yarde (London Irish) pulling on a senior shirt for the first time. England’s starting line-up contains nine players aged 24 or under.

The replacements for the non-cap game include five more making their first appearances at this level in centre Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), lock Kearnan Myall, scrum half Haydn Thomas (Exeter Chiefs), prop Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks) and number eight Billy Vunipola (London Wasps).

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “We’ve selected a young and exciting side and this is a great opportunity for these players who have shone in the Aviva Premiership this season to step up in front of passionate home crowd at Twickenham Stadium.

“Taking on a very experienced Barbarians team is the first challenge they face this summer with matches in Uruguay and Argentina to follow and this sequence of games is a key part of our development as a team.

“Rob Webber finished the season strongly with Bath and I know his leadership qualities well. I am sure he’ll show the way backed up by the other senior players in the team.”

England team
15. Mike Brown (Harlequins)
14. Christian Wade (Wasps)
13. Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)
12. Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)
11. Marland Yarde (London Irish)
10. Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
9. Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
1. Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)
2. Rob Webber (Bath Rugby, captain)
3. David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
4. Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)
5. Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)
6. Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs)
7. Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors)
8. Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)

Replacements
16. David Paice (London Irish)
17. Joe Marler (Harlequins)
18. Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks)
19. Kearnan Myall (Unattached)
20. Billy Vunipola (London Wasps)
21. Haydn Thomas (Exeter Chiefs)
22. Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)
23. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)

by ChequeredJersey Fri 24 May 2013, 11:02 am

I like that side, in fact I even like the bench!

by yappysnap Fri 24 May 2013, 11:05 am

Really like that team and am pumped for this game now!!

Guys i'm most excited about:

Corbisiero - Was looking fantastic for England before injury, now is his chance to remind SL what he brings to the table and that's namely physicality and scrummaging.

Attwood - Talked up for a while now, can he grab his second and potentially final chance at an England shirt with two hands? We needed a big unit in the engine room and he is certainly big, but does he have the skills to match?

Kvesic - I've heard a lot about the 7/8 hybrid Kvesic, not totally sold myself and to be honest I think a lot of the talk is over hyped but this is a perfect chance for the youngster to show what we don't get with Robshaw, if he can.

The whole backline - looks mouth watering. Please let them get more then just this game!

by yappysnap Fri 24 May 2013, 11:06 am

Oh and is Eastmond cover for the 10 position? I guess he'll probably go to 12 and if needed 36 will slide sideways.

by No 7&1/2 Fri 24 May 2013, 11:06 am

Like the side barring the fact I really wanted to see May! I guess he's on the bench covering full back as well?

by BamBam Fri 24 May 2013, 11:11 am

Love this team! Yarde I guess gives us a big winger option paired with the microscopic Wade, and I reckon may will get some good game time too. Only players in the team I would say are definite this summer only options are Wigglesworth and Tom Johnson.

Cracking selection by Lancaster

by yappysnap Fri 24 May 2013, 11:13 am

Hayden Thomas is probably only this summer too as he's A. getting on a bit and B. Only there because the first two aren't. Hopefully he'll shine

by Cumbrian Fri 24 May 2013, 11:13 am

My only really minor quibble is that Paice is on the bench rather than Buchanan. Would have preferred to have seen May start too but I am pleased with the overall squad.

by bluestonevedder Fri 24 May 2013, 11:19 am

I love that side, other than Paice on the bench. He brings NOTHING. Buchanan wouldbe so much better.

That backline looks electric. So excited for this!

by lostinwales Fri 24 May 2013, 11:19 am

wigglesworth could be covering FH as well. Fun times Very Happy

by propdavid_london Fri 24 May 2013, 11:21 am

I agree Cumbrian - Pace is the only major gripe.
Same with Yarde, would have preferred May to start and get more gametime.

Apart from that its as expected given the limitation of unavailable players.

Webber as capt is interesting - has he done it before?
Experience wide there arent many other candidates - Possibly Wigglesworth, but I guess they want to see if Webber can handle it.

by Geordie Fri 24 May 2013, 11:23 am

Well i have to admit he has picked a cracking side. Physciality AND Mobility in the pack (be interesting to see how the lineout goes)...and that backline looks seriously exciting.

11 Yarde
14 Wade
15 Brown

Thats better than the 6n back 3!!!

EDIT - Yarde gives us a bit more power on one flank and that gives us options....

Looking forward to Sunday...

by Cumbrian Fri 24 May 2013, 11:27 am

propdavid_london wrote:I agree Cumbrian - Pace is the only major gripe.
Same with Yarde, would have preferred May to start and get more gametime.

Apart from that its as expected given the limitation of unavailable players.

Webber as capt is interesting - has he done it before?
Experience wide there arent many other candidates - Possibly Wigglesworth, but I guess they want to see if Webber can handle it.

Regarding the captain, I know it is a little unorthodox but I would like to have seen Launchbury as captain. He is going to be in that pack for years to come and he leads by example. He is also a young man that can moulded into the role by making him vice captain when Robshaw comes back in.

by Bathman_in_London Fri 24 May 2013, 11:34 am

Can't really complain with that team, lets see how we fare with 2 actual wingers (and in-form wingers at that!).

I like the look of that pack too, far more balanced than the team that played Wales.

by bluestonevedder Fri 24 May 2013, 12:04 pm

Good to see Tom Johnson back too. Big fan of his.

by yappysnap Fri 24 May 2013, 12:41 pm

Yarde will hopefully give us some direction and physicality in the back three, which May and Wade don't necessarily give. Also from his age grade performances he's a powerful unit. May will get his chance i'm sure.

Not sure about the idea of Launchberry as captain, he's in his first real season, is still pretty untested and yes looks the business right now but then so did Ashton/Tait/Foden/Lawes/Hartley etc and they've all gone off the boil since. Let's not pressure him too much to start with.

by yappysnap Fri 24 May 2013, 12:43 pm

How is Joseph's defence anyone? He's going to have a hell of a job on his hands containing Laulala and that Baabaa's back three who'll be tracking inside often i'm sure.

by Geordie Fri 24 May 2013, 12:49 pm

The back three has a nice balance...pace, creativity, power , agression...lets hope they see the ball.

Agree about Launchbury...let the lad bed down in International rugby before worrying about anymore responsibility. Thats a nice second row combo with Attwood....will be watching it closely.

The front row looks physical and a proper scrummaging one, maybe not as mobile as Cole / Vunipola and Marler but who cares its there to scrummage the oppo off the park...let the back row and second rows worry about getting about the park.

AND....a FH who has a running, passing and kicking game, playing with a creative, powerhouse 12...and a fleet footed 13.

If they perform well this summer tour...this could be the basis of a very good couple of years for England....and players like Ashton etc might be retired from Internationals.

by belovedfrosties Fri 24 May 2013, 1:02 pm

Does anyone know who is calling the lineout? Pretty sure it won't be launchberry as he doesn't do it for Wasps and i've always had Attwood down as an enforcer not a lineout specialist.

Mixed feelings about Johnson, he's a great premiership player who gives it everything, but i just feel that he lacks the quality to be a test player. As someone mentioned further up, i feel its his and Wigglesworth last year in an england shirt. Also, i;m surprised that Simpson from Wasps didn't get a go, is he injured or anything?

by Cumbrian Fri 24 May 2013, 1:06 pm

Ah well I guess I am a visionary concerning the Launchbury captaincy. laughing

I like the back three, but I still hope Foden regains form and reclaims the fullback spot soon. The question for Sunday in my opinion is if Wigglesworth can supply the quick ball needed to see the lads outside him shine.

by Geordie Fri 24 May 2013, 1:09 pm

I agree with what your saying Frostie...

I mentioned the lineout above...i believe Attwood has called for bath quite a few times...but then again they also had one of the worst lineout records i think.

I also agree with you about Johnson...but who else would be selected. He is a stand out in the prem and the two obvious candidates Croft v Wood are unavailable. Haskell rested, Robshaw rested...
Has fearns done enough?...Kruis has played some blindingly good games for Sarries at 6...but is primarily considered a lock...likewise Savage...who else is there?

by belovedfrosties Fri 24 May 2013, 1:12 pm

Yeah you're probably right Geordie, Fearns was the only guy i would have gone with and i think that with the amount of experimentation and new blood, Bomber has gone with someone with test experience and a lot of premiership rugby under his belt.

These are all minor bug bears in comparison to a very exciting squad.

by Cumbrian Fri 24 May 2013, 1:14 pm

The problem for Fearns is that he is a bit of a sick note, he seems to get a run of games together and then gets an injury that keeps him out for an extended layoff.

by **LondonTiger** Fri 24 May 2013, 1:15 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:AND....a FH who has a running, passing and kicking game, playing with a creative, powerhouse 12...and a fleet footed 13.

sadly Joseph looked sluggish and overweight at WR a couple of weeks ago.

by Cumbrian Fri 24 May 2013, 1:20 pm

I think Joseph has suffered from the fact that Irish have known for a long time that he is joining Bath, he has barely played since Christmas.

by Geordie Fri 24 May 2013, 1:26 pm

Oh thats not good news LT...well hopefully a few weeks in the England squad will have him up to pace again...bath can bring on his development.

There is plenty of competition for that 13 shirt now...Joseph, Trinder, Lowe, Tuilagi, Tomkins...etc

by yappysnap Fri 24 May 2013, 2:40 pm

Should Lancaster have stuck with Haskell, got him in at 6 and potentially made him captain? Dayglo and Ashton always said that he was prime captaincy material.

by No 7&1/2 Fri 24 May 2013, 3:23 pm

yappysnap wrote:Should Lancaster have stuck with Haskell, got him in at 6 and potentially made him captain? Dayglo and Ashton always said that he was prime captaincy material.

Think he may well see Wood as a long term captain who will play through the tour as the 6. Taking Haskell to have him sit on the bench is a bit of a waste of a place so better to give him the time off? This is about getting strength in depth and seeing the newbies. Wood is there for experience so no need for Haskell. I personally see Robshaw as a stop gap (I know i'll get stick for that) even though his performances have been very good, and Wood/Haskell, Kevesic/Fraser, Morgan/Vunipola as the best balanced back 3 going forward..

by No 7&1/2 Fri 24 May 2013, 3:23 pm

And I obviously forgot about Croft, so probably no Haskell at all!

by propdavid_london Fri 24 May 2013, 3:37 pm

belovedfrosties wrote:Does anyone know who is calling the lineout? Pretty sure it won't be launchberry as he doesn't do it for Wasps and i've always had Attwood down as an enforcer not a lineout specialist.

Mixed feelings about Johnson, he's a great premiership player who gives it everything, but i just feel that he lacks the quality to be a test player. As someone mentioned further up, i feel its his and Wigglesworth last year in an england shirt. Also, i;m surprised that Simpson from Wasps didn't get a go, is he injured or anything?

Interview from SL on RFU tv suggests that Attwood will run the Line out.

by Bathman_in_London Fri 24 May 2013, 3:52 pm

Attwood has taken over the Bath lineout seeing as Hooper has been displaced as the starting lock. There were a few teething problems with that, although some of that is down to dodgy throwing, Webber for example has struggled a bit at times, apparently due to his shoulder opp.

by ChequeredJersey Fri 24 May 2013, 5:38 pm

No 7&1/2 wrote:
yappysnap wrote:Should Lancaster have stuck with Haskell, got him in at 6 and potentially made him captain? Dayglo and Ashton always said that he was prime captaincy material.

Think he may well see Wood as a long term captain who will play through the tour as the 6. Taking Haskell to have him sit on the bench is a bit of a waste of a place so better to give him the time off? This is about getting strength in depth and seeing the newbies. Wood is there for experience so no need for Haskell. I personally see Robshaw as a stop gap (I know i'll get stick for that) even though his performances have been very good, and Wood/Haskell, Kevesic/Fraser, Morgan/Vunipola as the best balanced back 3 going forward..

No worries, we'll happily keep all our players if nobody wants them

Which does currently seem to be the case, at least with International/Tour coaches!

by Chjw131 Fri 24 May 2013, 5:41 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:I agree with what your saying Frostie...

I mentioned the lineout above...i believe Attwood has called for bath quite a few times...but then again they also had one of the worst lineout records i think.

I also agree with you about Johnson...but who else would be selected. He is a stand out in the prem and the two obvious candidates Croft v Wood are unavailable. Haskell rested, Robshaw rested...
Has fearns done enough?...Kruis has played some blindingly good games for Sarries at 6...but is primarily considered a lock...likewise Savage...who else is there?

Yes I think Attwood will be calling. You're right GF there has been some issues but the stats are taken over the whole season and there was injuries to Hooper and Attwood which affected the system I think. I agree with you on the SR combo i'll also be keeping a close eye on it could be a real dynamite one if Attwood gets into the game.

Fearns I would like to have seen at 6 but I think he's still injured unfortunately. I did mention him earlier in the thread but as a left-field choice I would have picked Dave Ewers there. He's a unit and although I assume he'll be playing 8 next season for The Chiefs he's had impact when he's played BS for the Chiefs.

by Chjw131 Fri 24 May 2013, 5:42 pm

On the Haskell point he's played non -stop for two and a half seasons now and certainly needs a rest if you ask me.

by sickofwendy Fri 24 May 2013, 6:45 pm

Haskell needs a break more than any other Englishman.Let him rest up and have a pre-season,it's what he needs.I'm expecting a big season from him next year.
Regarding wigglesworth,I like him as a player.I think he offers something different from our other scrummies and has a cool head plus he is a little older and wiser than other choices we have.A fair few scrum-halves gr t better as they age and he was one of our better players at the last WC,we were a better team when he was on the pitch.
Tom Johnson will always put his body on the line and never le t you down,not too shabby for 4th choice in his position.
Pai ce is an odd selection for this match,it would have been the perfect time for buchanen to .br involved.
For some reason lancaster is quite conservative when selecting hookers,he put mears on the bench last summer rather than play youngs or gray and then brought paice back in last autumn.
The same could have been said for wing but hopefully that is now a thing of the past.

England by 12 Smile

by Cumbrian Fri 24 May 2013, 8:48 pm

Has Ewers declared that he wishes to play for England? From what I remember reading about him, he is a born and raised Zimbabwean. I will be happy if he does, because he has been here since he was 14 and looks like a player with a big future.

by Bathman_in_London Fri 24 May 2013, 10:04 pm

He is definitely a Zimmer, looks like a good young player though, can't be long before someone asks him about his international plans.

by **George Carlin** Sat 25 May 2013, 8:26 am

Really looking forward to this - great combinations in that England side.

Here's hoping Johnson shows that much vision in choosing an attacking lineup for Scotland in the Quadrangular.

by Chjw131 Sat 25 May 2013, 12:39 pm

Cumbrian wrote:Has Ewers declared that he wishes to play for England? From what I remember reading about him, he is a born and raised Zimbabwean. I will be happy if he does, because he has been here since he was 14 and looks like a player with a big future.

Granted he has not declared anything either way but now is the time to mark someone who could become an excellent BR. He went to Ivybridge College and from there to Chiefs academy I guess.

by Hood83 Sat 25 May 2013, 9:42 pm

I hope Haskell is just being rested and not ignored. I think he's actually now become a hugely underrated player...a sort of 180 in a way. His power is something I don't think Wood can match, or any of our other flankers for that matter. Against some of the more physical teams like SA I think he's one of few players here who can match them.

by HammerofThunor Sat 25 May 2013, 10:00 pm

IIRC he was stated as being injured when the squad was announced.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22453810

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