England Saxons XV v USA

M Brown (Harlequins)
T Ojo (London Irish)
H Trinder (Gloucester)
B Twelvetrees (Leicester)
M Benjamin (Worcester)
R Clegg (Harlequins)
M Young(Newcastle)
M Mullan (Worcester)
J Gray (Harlequins)
M Stevens (Saracens)
M Botha (Saracens)
D Attwood (Gloucester)
J Gaskell (Sale)
T Johnson (Exeter)
J Crane (Leicester, capt)

Replacements: D Paice (London Irish), K Brookes (Newcastle), G Kitchener (Worcester), J Gibson (London Irish), P Hodgson (London Irish), A Goode (Saracens), C Sharples (Gloucester Rugby)

Interesting points:

- Big chance for Matt Stevens to prove his worth over PDJ. I think he will take it.

- Attwood and Botha in a shoot out for Deacon's (injury) RWC place? I hope Attwood does the business.

- Ojo and Benjamin on the wings - two prolific try scorers who could feature in the First XV post RWC 11 (presuming they are behind Ashton, Cueto, Strettle, potentially Banahan and JSD for RWC selection).

- How will big Tom Johnson go on the flank? - he's the pundits' tip for a World Cup bolter.

- Opportunity for Crane to force his way into contention as Easter's deputy - I feel he is in a battle with Waldrom and Narraway. Narraway is currently winning.

- Clegg chosen at 10 over Goode. Are either of these players better than Owen Farrell?

Stevens could struggle at tighthead as he has played most of his rugby at loosehead since his return. Will be interesting to see how he goes.

I think if any of the locks are in a shoot out for a World Cup spot it is Attwood and Kitchener.

Ojo could be a bolter for the WC if he runs in a few good tries in this compeition.

I'll be surprised if Johnson goes to the World Cup unless there are injuries, England have a lot of good flankers.

Likewise Crane, Waldrom and Narraway as Haskell will cover 8 behind Easter.

Goode has barely played 10 this season, so no surprise he is not there for this game, more surprising that he hasn't started at full back.

I think Stevens has improved his scrummaging since his return and he has to show his worth at tight head as, if he is to go to the RWC, he has to show his versatility. I don't think this England scrum should have too many problems with the US anyway and I expect Stevens to have a big impact around the park.

I'd be surprised if Botha isn't in World Cup contention - otherwise why would Johnno put him in there ahead of developing the likes of Day?

I agree about the back row but injuries can and will happen and this is Johnson and Crane's chance to position themselves well for that circumstance.

I think Mike Brown has had a superb season and deserves the full back slot. I feel that he is in contention for a RWC back three slot.

IMO, there is a mix between players in RWC contention - or certainly in contention of being named in the wider squad (ie. Brown, Ojo, Stevens, Botha, Attwood, Johnson, Crane, possibly Paice/Gray) and then those in there for development post RWC (ie. Benjamin, Trinder, Twelvetrees, Clegg, Gaskell). I think it is a nice mix.

As an aside, does anyone know why Ngwenya and Wyles are not in the USA squad?

Dominant display from England Saxons, the tone was set when Miles Benjamin scored his first of three tries after 5 minutes.

While there was a lot of talk about Matt Stevens I was impressed by the following players: Billy Twelvetrees, Henry Trinder and Tom Johnson.

Twelvetrees unleashed the pace of the back three with several wide passes which meant they could exploit the space that this created. His ability to step in at first receiver is also very useful to take the pressure of the fly-half.

I'll admit that while I haven't watched much of Trinder, but he surprised me today. Quite a few of the tries scored today were created by offloads from this guy. His ability to draw in several defenders and get the pass out of the tackle engineered the 2 on 1s that resulted in tries.

And finally Tom Johnson. The meteoric rise of this player is very impressive considering he was playing in the Championship last year. However he has clearly stepped up is one the star players in the Exeter Chiefs side. Having scored last week against the Barbarians with an audacious dummy, he again showed this week that he is comfortable with the ball in hand. And Johnson certainly has gas - using this acceleration he skipped through the Eagles defence for another try today. I wonder who would win in a race: he or Tom Croft?

Lots of positives from the England Saxons as everyone i trying to impress MJ and force their way into the World Cup squad for this autumn.

Are Ojo and Brown planning on another threesome like they had in New Zealand a few years ago? LADs.