Rugby Match: Young England take on the Barbarians

30.05.2009
England v Barbarians (UK) RFC at Twickenham

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Preview
Although not a test match, this fixture is a good warm-up for an England side about to do battle with the full-blooded Argentineans.

With a number of English players either with the Lions in South Africa or injured, Martin Johnson has taken the opportunity introduced a few new players to international rugby.

The Barbarians is made up of mostly hardened veterans who may lack a pace or two for this stage of their careers. It will be Martin Corry's last game of rugby. An interesting inclusion on the bench is 37 year-old Mike Catt.

Prediction: The oldies, much to the annoyance of Martin Johnson who will not be venturing to play open rugby,to fling the ball all over the park, enjoying themselves, entertaining the crowd, and to win by 10 points.

Teams

England
15 Delon Armitage (London Irish)
14 Ben Foden (Northampton)
13 Jamie Noon (Newcastle)
12 Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)
11 Matt Banahan (Bath)
10 Andy Goode (Brive)
9 Danny Care (Harlequins)
8 Nick Easter (Harlequins)
7 Lewis Moody (Leicester)
6 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
5 Louis Deacon (Leicester)
4 Steve Borthwick (Saracens, capt)
3 David Wilson (Newcastle)
2 Dylan Harltey (Northampton)
1 Tim Payne (Wasps).
Replacements
16 Steve Thompson (Brive)
17 Nick Wood (Gloucester)
18 Chris Jones (Sale Sharks)
19 Steffon Armitage (London Irish)
20 James Haskell (Wasps)
21 Paul Hodgson (London Irish)
22 Tom May (Newcastle)
Head Coach: Martin Johnson

Barbarians
15 Ben Blair (Cardiff Blues & New Zealand)
14 Doug Howlett (Munster & New Zealand)
13 Josh Lewsey (London Wasps & England)
12 Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster & Ireland)
11 Iain Balshaw (Gloucester Rugby & England)
10 Glen Jackson (Saracens)
9 Justin Marshall (Saracens & New Zealand)
8 Rocky Elsom (Leinster & Australia)
7 Serge Betsen (London Wasps & France)
6 Jerry Collins (Toulon & New Zealand)
5 Chris Jack (Saracens & New Zealand)
4 Martin Corry, Capt. (Leicester Tigers & England)
3 Greg Somerville (Gloucester Rugby & New Zealand)
2 Schalk Brits (Stormers & South Africa)
1 Clarke Dermody (London Irish & New Zealand).
Replacements
16 Sebastien Bruno (Sale Sharks & France)
17 B J Botha (Ulster & South Africa)
18 Paul Tito (Cardiff Blues)
19 Phil Waugh (Waratahs & Australia)
20 Chris Whitaker (Leinster & Australia)
21 Mike Catt (London Irish & England)
22 Ratu Nasiganiyavi (Waratahs).