England v Barbarians, 26 May

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:
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
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).

George Carlin wrote: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. England squad

Backs:

M Brown (Harlequins), B Foden (Northampton), A Goode (Saracens), C Wade (London Wasps), J May (Argentina), D Strettle (Saracens), M Yarde (London Irish), J Joseph (London Irish), J Tomkins (Saracens), K Eastmond (Bath), B Twelvetrees (Gloucester), F Burns (Gloucester), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), L Dickson (Northampton).

Forwards:

R Webber (Bath), R Buchanan (Harlequins), D Paice (London Irish), P Doran-Jones (Northampton), H Thomas (Sale Sharks), A Corbisiero (London Irish), J Marler (Harlequins), D Wilson (Bath), D Attwood (Bath), J Launchbury (London Wasps), C Lawes (Northampton), E Slater (Leicester), C Clark (Northampton), M Kvesic (Worcester), T Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), T Wood (Northampton, capt), B Morgan (Gloucester), B Vunipola (London Wasps).

2. Barbarians squad

Backs:

Jared Payne (Ulster), Rowan Varty (DeA Tigers & Hong Kong), Takudzwa Ngwenya (Bairritz 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)

Couple of big last minute additions for the Ba-bas in Schalk Brits, Timoci Nagusa, Dean Mumm and Andrea Lo Cicero.

What do people think that the starting line-ups should be?

Now if Lancaster can't score a try with those backs something is very wrong with him as a coach.

That BABAs squad does look tasty on paper especially the forwards. Looking forward to this one

Just discussed it over on the England thread...
Could be something like this...:

1 Paul James
2 Brits
3 Castrogiovani
4 Wentzel
5 Hamilton
6 Harinordiquy
7 Louw
8 Parisse

9 Yachvilli
10 Evans
11 Nguenya
12 Hook
13 Daly
14 Rockocoko
15 Jared Payne

vs
1 Corbis / Marler
2 Webber
3 Wilson
4 Launchbury
5 Attwood
6 T.Johnson
7 Kvesic
8 Morgan

9 Wigglesworth
10 F.Burns
11 Wade
12 Twelvetrees
13 Tompkins
14 May
15 Brown

Can't believe Supersport is not broadcasting this.

Pathetic.

Biltong wrote:Can't believe Supersport is not broadcasting this.

Pathetic.

Pleasantly surprised it's on Sky as I thought this tour and the midweeks for the Lions were all on ESPN for some reason.

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Biltong wrote:Can't believe Supersport is not broadcasting this.

Pathetic.

Pleasantly surprised it's on Sky as I thought this tour and the midweeks for the Lions were all on ESPN for some reason.

Isn't all the ESPN stuff going over to BT Sport now? I think the Lions mid-weekers were always held by Sky.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Just discussed it over on the England thread...

1 Corbis
2 Webber
3 Wilson
4 Launchbury
5 Attwood
6 T.Johnson
7 Kvesic
8 Morgan

9 Wigglesworth
10 F.Burns
11 Wade
12 Twelvetrees
13 Tompkins
14 May
15 Brown

Looks a nice England side. My only worry is the bench; for which I think Lancs is going to have to call up another player. At the moment the bench looks like this:

16. R Buchanan 17. J Marler 18. H Thomas 19. ????? 20. B Vunipola 21. L Dickson 22. K Eastmond 23. M Yarde

Jared Payne and Martin Castrogiovanni won't be involved in the first game- it's the same weekend as the Pro12 and Premiership final. They are included in the squad for the Lions in Hong Kong.

The only problem could be if Harinord...and Wentzel start dominating the lineout - ours wouldnt be so strong.

Notch, totally correct forgot about Castro...wasnt aware of Payne though.

J May's club is Argentina?!

It's a fair point ER - have amended the OP to give him back to the Cherries.

Looks like they'll definitely have to draft in a couple more players for this game, there's no bench option for lock or scrum-half (unless they're considering Eastmond as emergency cover, but I don't think he's ever played there in union?).

Given who has featured for recent Saxons games I'd imagine that will be Robson or Kruis (although he played blindside against the Wolfhounds & Scotland A) and Simpson.

Please not robson,no offence but it would be a good opportunity for lancs to see how kruis is progressing.
We will learn nothing new by picking Robson.

Nice to see some continuity with the Barbarians squad. That will make them even more competitive for the Lions game. Hopefully the Barbarians effect spills over to England as that's an exciting English backline.

With you there Wendy...plus i dont even think Robson is a decent international - quality club player.

Kruis is the future...and has had some very impressive games in the present...lets see how he goes...

Geordie

Agree on Robson. He's great for us at Quins but there's a suspicion that he doesn't have the bulk for international rugby.

Minor quibble on your back line - Wade should be on the right wing and May on the left, unless you've got some crafty tactical reason for that that I've missed.

Its all in the mind games mate....

Excited about this match, it'll be interesting to see who gets played but I expect we may see an Eng backline of Wigglesworth, Burns, Wade, Twelvetrees, Tomkins, May, Brown. Although I have a depressing feeling that Strettle and Ashton might feature...

Any news on Clark? He looked like he may have picked up an injury in the Tigers game....#justice

Ashton isn't in the squad though

This should be good. The last England-Babas game produced four or five tries per side as I recall. There may be fewer tries for the Barbarians because Visser isn't playing this time, obviously.
()

Fewer for the Barbarians perhaps, but the same total number.

I do hope that SL doesnt pick Strettle! Need to see May and Wade tested.

Cover for 9 and 2nd row would presumably come from -
Simpson or K.Dickson, and Robson or Kruis.

I would agree that Kruis would be the preferred option. Could see Palmer wheeled out.

I love the fact that Daly has been included in the BaaBaas squad.

I can see Kruis being called up. He went pretty well at 6 for the Saxons but his long-term future for England has to be No.5. I don't think we'll see Robson there as he's had enough chances. If Kitchener were available I wouldn't have minded seeing him on the bench.

I can't see Lancs picking Strettle for the Barbarians game, I think he'll see it as a warm-up game and not a Test match. He'll bring Strettle back in for the Tests almost certainly.

A broken game would be ideal for Wade and May to establish themselves.

So not trying to push this to the Lions but I wasn't aware the baabaas will get a run out before the HK match.

So in terms of mashed up Lions squad vs. mashed up Baabaas squad the baabaas look like they will be in the driving seat.

They have a very good squad to match the lions and will get 80 mins vs. an England Saxons (in all but name) squad.

Worrying for the Lions, Gatland and Warburton... and they probably have to start with Farrell. D'oh!

Imagine if the Saxons win ....and the Lions dont

I can see that actually.

Saxons could catch them cold.

Saxons could catch them cold..

Or just blow them off the park with an exhilarating display of power, pace and sublime skill played at breakneck speed.....

someone obviously had a slice of optimism for lunch.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Saxons could catch them cold..

Or just blow them off the park with an exhilarating display of power, pace and sublime skill played at breakneck speed.....

Oh for the day!

In all seriousness I think this England squad has a good chance. The only issue will be that Barbarians back row they look pretty awesome in that department. If we can really break the game up the likes of Johnson, 36, Wade and May should have enough about them to put some decent scored away. It's one of those games where the outcome really is secondary to a good performance.

Yeah FA...just blind optimism

Chjw,
Im just looking for a good alround performance. The Baa Baas will be new to each other...but theres some serious quality in that squad...so this will be a good game for the young England group.
I want to see some physicality...i want to see players not taking a backward step...some big ball carrying and actually see some attacking spark.

The irony is that whilst not much is really being made of the outcome of the these 4 games...they actually could be pivitol to how we perform in the next few years...as many of the issues in the current 1st team (midfield creativity, power and ball carrying up front and electric wingers) could be answered by players in this summer squad...

Is anyone else more interested in this England tour than the Lions? In fact i think this summer tour has me more gripped than anything for years. I cannot wait for it.

Effervescing Elephant wrote:Is anyone else more interested in this England tour than the Lions? In fact i think this summer tour has me more gripped than anything for years. I cannot wait for it.

Likewise, shame we're not going to see any of it bar the Baa Baa's.

WHAT?!

Who will be captain in woods absence?
Corbs or brown for me
Brown has the edge as unlikely corbs will play full 80.

Are none of the other games being televised at all?

I suspect Brown will start at FB and he will captain.

SERIUOSLY?!?! No televised matches? Not even streaming on t'interwebs?

Oh it might be on t'internet...hopefully...

PS I agree, i think im more bothered about the Argentina tour than the Lions.

Thought Sky had rights for all the England games bar 6 nations. Really disappointed we're not going to get to see the games. Any hope BBC have highlights?

Im sure we'll be able to stream them through the internet...what times are all the kick offs...could be crazy times (for us) anyway...im not so interested to get up at say 4 in the morning to watch it...

Internet streaming is the most likely but it's a slim hope. I remember the Australian Barbarians match being streamed online by Fox when England went down there in 2010 but that's about it.

The previous Lions year I don't remember any and no highlights. It's a joke really. Could you imagine the England football team ever playing a game/tour which wasn't televised?!

Rugbyworld says the match against S.AMERICAN side is at 7.30 BST and the 1st TEST kicks off 8.10 BST.
No news for 2nd test.

2nd test also 8.10

Ah right so its early games...but not too early that i couldnt get oup and watch them...

I made a mistake.....19.30 and 20.10
My bad

Peak drinking hours

I thought it would generate that response

Amazing news Wendy!!

Must be able to stream them. I've never understood how there can be a dozen channels covering all manner of random sports from bull riding to x-games and indoor bowls, but Int rugby gets such patchy coverage still.

Haydn Thomas and Pearson myall called up.
Where the f..k do I start?
Thomas is an ok player but getting on a bit I think he has only played half the chiefs games this year.He has zero chance of going to WC and his place should have gone to Simpson,robson or Spencer.
Myall ?
Kruis or savage even though they are playing 6 at the moment should have got the nod or even tom palmer as a thank you for his service over the years.

Myall is a decent player, he is precisely the tall rangy athletic forward that Lancaster goes for. I reckon he is there for his prowess in the lineout (something he is very good at and which he runs for Sale), the team currently lacks this.

Can't hurt that he is ex Leeds either...

I don't mean to have a go at players,I can't do what they do, I just think kruis would have been a better pick.Myall has played for the saxons in the past.