The exciting Courtney Lawes and Freddie Burns have been added to the England squad as they prepare for the ultimate challenge against New Zealand on Saturday.
England come into the clash with the All Blacks on the back of two straight defeats at the hands of Australia and South Africa, and will be wary of facing a side that have cruised past all of the European opposition faced so far on their current tour.
Gloucester fly-half Burns is included in the 23 man squad for the first time following Toby Flood’s withdrawal with a toe problem, whilst Lawes will feature for the first time since playing in the defeat to Wales in last season’s Six Nations.
Lawes’ inclusion means that Mouritz Botha and Tom Palmer have been released back to their respective clubs, and Head Coach Stuart Lancaster feels that his team have the ability to cause a major upset against the World Champions:
“For those in Saturday’s squad the message is clear – last week we went toe to toe with the second best team in the world and felt we should have won,†Lancaster said.
“Now we have a chance to take on the number one side in front of a passionate Twickenham crowd, who have been fantastic throughout the QBE Internationals, and it is a challenge we will meet head on.”
There have been calls for 22-year-old Burns to be included before this fixture, with the youngster producing some wonderful displays in the Premiership for Nigel Davies’s impressive Gloucester outfit, but he has found himself behind Flood and Owen Farrell in the England pecking order.
Farrell should start the game at Twickenham in Flood’s absence, but many will be hoping that Burns is given a chance to show what he can do as well as the Red Rose go in search of an historic victory.
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