A new-look England side proved too strong for the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday, running out winners 53-29.

France international Abdel Benazzi was a late withdrawal from the Barbarians team following the death of his father. His Saracens team-mate, the uncapped Kieran Roche, took his place.

England fielded a young and inexperienced team, including nine uncapped players while the Barbarians featured world superstars such as Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen, the major reasons for an anticipated crowd of around 60,000.

Conditions were not ideal for traditional Baa-baas running rugby, squally showers having created a greasy playing surface, but the bumper crowd still anticipated a try-scoring extravaganza.

The non-cap fixture saw Phil Vickery captain England for the first time, and his team started promisingly, taking a second-minute lead through Newcastle fly-half Dave Walder's 30-metre penalty.

Bristol wing Phil Christophers tested the Baa-baas defence with a menacing run, while the invitation side also suffered an early injury blow, losing centre Stephane Glas through a hamstring problem.

Glas was replaced by Saracens' French star Thomas Castaignede, but England continued to dominate, and a huge Vickery tackle on Cullen sparked a thrilling move deep into Baa-baas territory which petered out when centre Geoff Appleford ignored an unmarked James Simpson-Daniel outside him.

Lomu was nothing more than a spectator early on, and the Baa-baas' stuttering start was further emphasised when skipper Todd Blackadder limped off after just 14 minutes. Pat Lam took over.

And England extended their advantage in brilliant fashion after 20 minutes, Gloucester flanker James Forrester sprinting 65 metres for a stunning try which had England boss Clive Woodward leaping out of his seat.

Forrester even had the confidence to throw Lomu a dummy pass before diving over for a try which Walder improved for a 10-0 lead.

Castaignede followed fellow hamstring victims Glas and Blackadder out of the action - Newport-bound Percy Montgomery entering the fray - and England took advantage of their continued disruption.

Hooker Steve Thompson claimed England's second try in the 27th minute, finding Alex Codling at a short-range line-out and then collecting the return pass to smash through a retreating Barbarians defence. Walder added the conversion, and England held a 17-0 lead.

The Baa-baas finally produced something constructive six minutes before the break. Lomu's midfield charge occupied England's full defensive resources, and phase ball eventually found its way to lock Ian Jones, who touched down wide out.

England though, were far from distracted, and they scored their third try on 36 minutes, one which the crowd will never forget.

Wing James Simpson-Daniel tore the Baa-baas apart, underlining his prodigious talent through a sensational solo effort.

The 19-year-old Gloucester prospect threw a mesmeric dummy pass 40 metres out, bewildering Montgomery, and then had the temerity to take Lomu on the outside and squeeze over in the corner, despite Cullen's challenge.

The Barbarians replied when Lomu and Cullen combined from deep, before Montgomery completed the move just when it looked as though Simpson-Daniel's ankle-tap on Cullen had aborted the danger.

Fly-half Braam van Straaten slotted the conversion, but there was more to come from England, and Walder's clever kick into space was exploited by try-scorer Michael Horak, which Walder improved for a 29-12 interval advantage.

Walder opened the second half by landing a 48-metre penalty and England added their fifth try just two minutes later.

Horak almost made it to the line, but Christophers gathered a loose ball and powered through the Baa-baas defence for a score which owed everything to his strength and determination.

With a groggy Walder receiving treatment, scrum-half Andy Gomarsall slotted the conversion, and England led 39-12.

The Baa-baas, their pride clearly hurt, were in danger of suffering a crushing defeat, but Scottish number eight Simon Taylor gave them hope by touching down following robust approach work from Kronfeld.

Woodward made a double 52nd-minute substitution and sent on forwards Ed Pearce and Grant Seely for Hugh Vyvyan and Forrester, respectively. And they scored their sixth try entering the final quarter.

Walder again tried the delicate chip ahead and this time he got there first, adding the conversion for a 46-17 lead.

Further tries arrived during the closing stages, Taylor touching down for his second Baa-baas touchdown before Christophers completed his brace to preserve England's overwhelming advantage.

It was a spectacular England win, giving Woodward massive cause for encouragement ahead of next month's Argentina tour.

England, despite being without numerous top stars, had given a Baa-baas outfit boasting 486 caps the runaround, and how the 62,000 crowd loved it.

England's standing ovation was richly deserved, the 53-29 victory - Lam scored an injury time Baa-baas try - providing a totally accurate reflection of their dominance.

Teams:

England: Horak, Simpson-Daniel, Appleford, Johnston, Christophers, Walder, Gomarsall, Woodman, Thompson, Vickery, Codling, Vyvyan, Gustard, Forrester, Worsley.

Replacements: Sorrell for Appleford (73), Jones for Walder (77), Walshe for Gomarsall (77), Flatman for Woodman (76), Regan for Codling (78), Pearce for Vyvyan (54), Seely for Forrester (54).

Tries: Forrester, Thompson, Simpson-Daniel, Horak, Christophers 2, Walder.

Cons: Walder 5, Gomarsall.

Pens: Walder 2.

Barbarians: Cullen, Rossouw, Glas, Alatini, Lomu, van Straaten, Pichot, Califano, Drotske, Garvey, Roche, Jones, Blackadder, Vanisi, Taylor, Castaignede.

Replacements: Robinson for Rossouw (76), Castaignede for Glas (6), Ledesma for Drotske (58), Dowd for Garvey (64), Lam for Blackadder (14), Kronfeld for Vanisi (41), Montgomery for Castaignede (22).

Tries: Jones, Montgomery, Taylor 2, Lam.

Cons: van Straaten 2.

Att: 62,000

Ref: Paul Adams (Welsh RFU).