England squad streamlined ahead of Samoa clash

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Stuart Lancaster has this evening confirmed a squad of 23 players to take on Samoa this weekend.

Richard Wigglesworth, James Haskell and Billy Twelvetrees make their first appearances in a match day squad this series after being named in the 23 players to face Samoa in the third QBE International.

Saracens scrum half Wigglesworth, who won the last of his 14 Test caps on the 2013 tour to Argentina, replaces the starting No.9 from the three-point defeats to New Zealand and South Africa, Harlequins’ Danny Care.

Similarly, Wasps back row Haskell adds the experience of 51 Test appearances in taking the place of Saracens No.8 Billy Vunipola and Gloucester Rugby centre Billy Twelvetrees is in for Bath Rugby’s Kyle Eastmond, who suffered concussion against the Springboks.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said he always planned to look at options during a four-game series and is rewarding players for their form.

“We always wanted to use these four games to look at options in our squad and Billy, Richard and James have been in great form for their clubs and pressing hard in training.

“We always wanted to use these four games to look at options”

“Kyle has not been able to train due to the Graduated Return To Play protocol and will return to Bath to continue that process and hopefully he should be available for his club this weekend along with the other released players.”

Looking to arrest a run of five straight defeats on Saturday, Lancaster added: “We’ve got another full day of training tomorrow and the players are fully focused on another tough challenge against Samoa.”

The team will be announced at 4.15pm on Wednesday.

England squad to face Samoa

Forwards:
Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)
Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
James Haskell (Wasps)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)
Matt Mullan (Wasps)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, captain)
Rob Webber (Bath Rugby)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

Backs:
Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Bath Rugby)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
Marland Yarde (Harlequins)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Returning to Aviva Premiership clubs:
Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Calum Clark (Northampton Saints)
Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images

13 thoughts on “England squad streamlined ahead of Samoa clash”

  1. I think it’s absolute madness that he has the chance to play a club combination at 10 and 12 in Eastmond and ford and the former hasn’t been retained. He’s clutching at straws now.

  2. If Eastmond was concussed then he not eligable to play as two games in a row. I’m suprised that Burrell hasnt walked back into the squad. Propper 13 and 36 at 12 (not great but its a combo that has been used before). I have a feeling that this means Farrell will play 12 with Ford at 10. I’m a Sarries man and a huge supporter of young Farrell but he needs more time to get back into the swing since being injured. i still think he is a fine flyhalf and will be a great asset to England in the future but right now he should be dropped and Cips called up. I know that cant really happen but it is what should have happened. Myler is in fine form also and could be benched. It’s a shame as the midfield in the WC will (injury not effecting) Tuilagi/Burrell Eastmond/Burges. Just how its going to be. Cips should be in the WC squad and Ford starting with Farrell a third option.

    Enough about Armitage – He aint coming, everyone should get over it.

  3. So the BEST case scenario for the centres is 12t and Barritt with Farrell on the bench? Jeez. WORST case and MOST likely scenario is Farrell and Barritt with 12t on the the bench, no doubt to replace Ford so that Farrell can close out the match. Oh dear God. Shades of Argentina in 2006.

    And what’s the betting that Wood retains his starting place despite 2 poor performances.

    I wonder how the likes of Cipriani, Myler, Burrell, Slade, Joseph, Daly, Clark, Fraser, Ewers feel towards the current England selection policy. Fair? Meritocratic? Based on form and talent. What a crock of sh*t.

  4. I wonder why Barritt is retained, Eastmond has been sent back, and this could have been the perfect chance to test Joseph. But 12t can also play 12 & 13. Hopefully Haskell actually plays as a flanker and not a 8.

  5. Hmm. Trying to work out whether Farrell and Barritt is a worse combination than 12t and Tomkins last year?

    Well I can hardly see this being much of a try fest, though I live in hope.

  6. The other 6N teams select players based in France.Clearly they want to select the best team they can but SL is so keen on protecting Robshaw that he can’t expose him to the challenge of Armitage.Result we have identikit at 6and 7.The number one role of a coach is to select the best players and the right combination-SL could do a lot better.The retention of Farrell is myopic.

  7. The worst center combination available to the English, out of all the players available to them, and they go for it, really is crazy. That’s not a slight on Farrell and Barrit individually, just the combination in those positions.

  8. Pretty depressing that we haven’t seen slightly more experimentation. Farrell/Barritt together really doesn’t fill me with excitement. Both can do a job in either position but together it doesn’t look too good.

    Is Burrell fit? Would have thought (pre-media leak on Monday) that he’d be in before Barritt.

    Can’t blame him for not playing Eastmond if he hasn’t trained all week, especially as he hasn’t trained the week before because of a knock. Hopefully let him train at Bath and come back in for Australia.

    Really hope Haskell starts. He’s exactly what we need at the moment, but I still expect to see him on the bench with Wood starting.

  9. Clearly Tuilagi is our 13 option going forward but when injured we have no real like for like replacement, so why are we not looking for a different option rather than a poor imitation? Why don’t we have plan b of pace and footwork at 13?

    1. I just don’t see where Barritt fits in with this strategy? Neither a kicking option or distributor at 12 or a power bosh merchant at 13? And if that is the strategy why not pick Burrell who is fit clearly, or if we’re really desperate.. Banahan!

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