England in New Zealand 2014
Weakened England to face All Blacks
ESPN Staff
November 18, 2013
Unhappy but resigned to playing a weakened side in the first summer Test © PA Photos
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Stuart Lancaster admits he is powerless to prevent England from playing the first Test of their summer tour to New Zealand with a weakened team. The opening international against the All Blacks is scheduled for June 7, one week after the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham.

As a result, Lancaster is resigned to being unable to field his first-choice side until the second Test on June 14. While still maintaining the series will be a worthwhile exercise, he accepts the scheduling issue will hamstring preparations for the opening international.

"I don't think it renders the series meaningless but it's certainly not ideal," he said. "I wouldn't have chosen this way. There's nothing to be done at this point. It was an inherited situation I found myself in.

"We looked at the calendar but nothing could be moved and my understanding is that it was all set in stone years ago. We'll go into the first Test with 100% commitment to win it. We'll have our Premiership finalists arrive after that and then we'll make decisions for the second Test.

"In my positive mindset it gives opportunities to lads who might not have had the chance to start against the All Blacks. For example if it's a Saracens v Leicester final, Freddie Burns will get a chance to start which is not a bad thing for us. For creating depth it's actually a good thing.

"Around 38 players will go out to New Zealand and have a great rugby experience. My best-case scenario is Newcastle v Sale …"

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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