England Lions v SA Barbarians 'Midweek Tour Match' 2012

  England set out on the next leg of their Summer Tour series with a 'Lions' type midweek game.  This is what they wanted a return to old fashioned Touring.

England 'Lions' on Tour

South Africa

2012

Well this demanding fan is all for this!  It gives us all a chance a) to see more rugby and b) to find out who has the ache in the belly to want to start in the next full test on Saturday.

Last week's first Test was to be honest a bit jaded and coming off the back of a win against the Baa Baas, I had hoped for more.   However, this is still new territory for many of these players and I rather think nerves played a part in that first test.   

With regards to midweek games, as with all the games since Lancaster took over, I just want to see players shine and perform to their best to make me proud and if this takes an 'Lions' type tour all the better.

It will be good to see how stalwarts over the years like Charlie Hodgson, Danny Care, James Haskell and David Strettle need a big day today. 

Charlie Hodgson in Action - Rome - Picture Empics

They have the experience of this type of midweek match and need to stand up now as this Tour could very well be one of their last chances to do so.

Come on England, the Boks will want blood do not roll over like kittens................... Roar like the England Lions you are!

Good Luck England

England team: Alex Goode; David Strettle (both Saracens), Anthony Allen (Leicester), Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins), Christian Wade (Wasps); Charlie Hodgson (Saracens), Danny Care (Harlequins); Matt Mullan (Worcester), Joe Gray (Harlequins), Paul Doran Jones (Northampton), Graham Kitchener (Leicester), George Robson (capt, Harlequins), James Haskell (Otago Highlanders), Carl Fearns (Bath), Thomas Waldrom (Leicester);

Replacements: Tom Youngs (Leicester), Rupert Harden (Gloucester), Tom Palmer (Stade Francais), Jamie Gibson (London Irish), Lee Dickson (Northampton), George Lowe (Harlequins), Nick Abendanon (Bath).