English Rugby
Lancaster compares Wade to Billy Whizz
ESPN Staff
May 10, 2013
England's Christian Wade celebrates his first senior start with a try, England v Barbarians, Twickenham, England, May 27, 2012
Christian Wade will hope to win his first Test cap this summer © PA Photos
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England boss Stuart Lancaster has likened Christian Wade to Jason Robinson and said he is excited about unleashing some fresh faces in their backline.

Wade was included in England's squad for their summer tour of Uruguay and Argentina and Lancaster hopes he will bring some added X-Factor to their back three. Wade has been joined in a youthful squad by Gloucester's Jonny May, Bath's Kyle Eastmond and Saracens' Joel Tomkins, all of whom are uncapped but have had impressive seasons.

Lancaster hopes they will add another dimension to their attacking play. "All four have the X Factor and that's exciting," Lancaster said. "I understand the (Jason Robinson) comparisons with Christian, definitely.

"You see the way he beats people. Every time he gets the ball there's a buzz of excitement around any ground he's in. Kyle has that ability but he also has the ability to put people through holes and run good lines and organise attacking shapes, which means he's a slightly different player in that regard."

Although England finished runners-up in the Six Nations, Lancaster was short of genuine attacking options and that is something he is trying to address. The experiment of using two full-backs appears to be over with Lancaster keen to utilise Billy Twelvetrees or Eastmond as a second midfield playmaker.

"The standout (from the squad selection) in terms of excitement in the backs is the back three and the wingers in particular," Lancaster said. Put Billy, Joel, Jonathan Joseph and Kyle in the equation as well and you've got an exciting back line.

"Freddie Burns has a great opportunity now too (at fly-half) and Ben Foden back in the equation at 15 too."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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