May 14, 2008

England will prepare for the summer tour to New Zealand by fielding a strong side against the Barbarians in the Gartmore Challenge at Twickenham on June 1.

The domestic league season is already over for sixteen of the 32-man squad and the RFU’s Elite Rugby Director Rob Andrew can see a potential team taking shape.

"England fans will be able to get the first view of the majority of the touring squad when we take on the Barbarians at Twickenham," said Andrew today.

"Sixteen have already finished their season and it's five weeks from their last game to the first Test in New Zealand, so they'll need a game and we expect the England side to be a strong one.

"If you look at the likes of Mathew Tait, Jamie Noon, Toby Flood, David Strettle, Charlie Hodgson, Topsy Ojo, Mike Brown, Richard Wigglesworth, Danny Care and Peter Richards, you start to have a good idea of the back-line quality there already.

"The only consideration is that we might have to add in one or two from the Saxons group depending on results of the Guinness Premiership semi-finals and Bath’s involvement in the European Challenge Cup final."

Among the players the Barbarians have invited to appear against England are Schalk Burger, Fourie du Preez, Gareth Thomas, Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, Felipe Contepomi, Ollie le Roux, Sebastien Chabal and Regan King.

The programme for the day also includes the County Championship Bill Beaumont Cup final at midday and the County Championship Shield final at 10am.

ends