England Rugby
Lancaster expects few changes before 2015
ESPN Staff
March 31, 2013
England head coach Stuart Lancaster in relaxed mood, England training session, Pennyhill Park, Bagshot, England, March 14, 2013
Stuart Lancaster has faith in his current squad © Getty Images
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Stuart Lancaster does not expect to make many changes to his England squad before the 2015 World Cup.

The England head coach has outlined the characteristics he wants in his World Cup contenders and admits it is unlikely players will be catapulted into the test arena on the back of a few big performances for their club.

Lancaster has already capped a host of younger players, such as Wasps' Joe Launchbury and Saracens' Marko Vunipola, during his short tenure in charge. He will call up some new players for England's tour of Argentina this summer to replace those who will travel with the British & Irish Lions to Australia.

Lancaster will closely scrutinise those newcomers this summer to see if they have the mentality as well as the talent for international rugby. But he believes the vast majority of the players which will try to win the World Cup on English soil in 30 months time will come from his current squad.

"The squad for the World Cup is unlikely to be materially different from the current one," he told the Guardian. "New players will have to meet criteria: internal competition is currently high, but it is vital to ensure complacency does not creep in.

"The culture of the England team has changed. The players now embrace the concept that they are representing England every day of the year, not just when they are on international duty. Success will be built on a strong team culture, high-quality coaches and good selection. The right culture drives motivation and behaviour."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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