England side to face Barbarians
May 22, 2002

England manager Clive Woodward has named a side including eight uncapped players for this Sunday's clash with the Barbarians.

Gloucester prop Phil Vickery will captain the side that has been hit by injuries established internationals such as Lawrence Dallaglio, Will Greenwood, Kyran Bracken and Iain Balshaw, while several top names are being rested both this weekend and for next month's one-Test Argentina tour.

On top of that, Woodward could not consider players from Leicester or Sale because of those clubs' respective European final commitments this weekend.

Gloucester young guns James Simpson-Daniel and James Forrester head the contingent of international rookies.

They will be joined by South Africa-born but English-qualified London Irish backs Michael Horak and Geoff Appleford, Bristol wing Phil Christophers, Saracens centre Ben Johnston, Newcastle lock Hugh Vyvyan and London Irish flanker Paul Gustard.

There are England recalls for scrum-half Andy Gomarsall, prop Trevor Woodman and lock Simon Shaw. Nick Walshe, newly recruited by Sale from Saracens, has answered a late call from Woodward and will provide scrum-half cover for Gomarsall.

Woodward confirmed that Dawson would miss the game with a knee problem which could also rule him out of the forthcoming tour to Argentina.

"I had a telephone call on Tuesday from Northampton, who want him to go for a scan and so I removed him from the squad," said the England manager.

"I only want to play guys who are fully fit and Andy Gomarsall did well at the weekend for Gloucester."

"This team is pushing for international honours," he said. "It has a fresh and determined look about it and I'm quite excited.

"They're all fit and it has given them an opportunity to prove they can operate at this level."

Orrell's stand-off Phil Jones could make a remarkable rise from the third tier of the English game to a Twickenham place should Walder suffer any recurrence of the hamstring injury which has plagued him since February.

However, although Woodward has only seen the rugby league recruit once in the flesh, he is encouraged by reports of his ability.

"Orrell seemed to be going in the right direction. I saw him play for the A team against Wales so I do know something about him," said Woodward.

"I've spoken to a few rugby league people and I've watched the videos and I am looking forward to seeing how he copes with the situation."

England team to play the Barbarians in non-cap Prudential tour game at Twickenham on Sunday.

M Horak (London Irish); J Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), G Appleford (London Irish), B Johnston (Saracens), P Christophers (Bristol); D Walder (Newcastle), A Gomarsall (Gloucester); T Woodman (Gloucester), S Thompson (Northampton), P Vickery (Gloucester, capt), S Shaw (Wasps), H Vyvyan (Newcastle), P Gustard (London Irish), J Forrester (Gloucester), J Worsley (Wasps).

Replacements: M Regan (Bath), D Flatman (Saracens), A Codling (Harlequins), G Seely (Northampton), N Walshe (Sale), P Jones (Orrell), K Sorrell (Saracens). end

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