Johnson, Marler debut for England
7 Jun 2012
Flank Tom Johnson and prop Joe Marler will play their first Test when England face South Africa in Durban on Saturday.
There could also be a debut for utility back Jonathan Joseph, who is named among the substitutes. In changes to the run-on side from their last Six Nations Test against Ireland, Marler replaces Alex Corbisiero at loosehead and Johnson comes in for Tom Croft at blindside.
In the back division, scrumhalf Ben Youngs ousts Lee Dickson, who drops to the bench, while in the back three Mike Brown’s inclusion at fullback sees Ben Foden move to the left wing, with David Strettle out of the 22 altogether. Brown’s inclusion is a clear indication that England expect to be bombarded with tactical kicks, the Harlequins man’s aerial ability and counter-attacking ability seen as key.
Meanwhile Owen Farrell starts at flyhalf ahead of Toby Flood, the latter playing off the wood. Home town boy Brad Barritt starts at inside centre and Manu Tuilagi has had no recurrence of the injury that sidelined him until Monday, and starts at No 13.
Speaking about the debutants England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: ‘Tom and Joe have had great seasons at their clubs and have worked really hard to get this chance, both are in great form and have really impressed in training.’
He added: ‘Equally, Mike Brown has been outstanding for Harlequins. By moving Ben Foden to the wing we retain his strike power and aerial skills and can utilise not only Mike’s attacking and defensive assets we can also call on his left footed kicking game.’
England - 15 Mike Brown, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manusamoa Tuilagi, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Ben Foden, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 6 Tom Johnson, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Joe Marler.
Subs: 16 Lee Mears, 17 Paul Doran Jones, 18 Tom Palmer, 19 Phil Dowson, 20 Lee Dickson, 21 Toby Flood, 22 Jonathan Joseph
272 Comments
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7 Jun 2012, 13:06 pm
@willievz(willievz)-148: That’s why you’ll notice that I consulted various sources.
Don’t question the katman.
7 Jun 2012, 13:06 pm
@Tourettes(Tourettes)-126: Mostly the mindless Bulls and Sharks supporters who underestimate England
7 Jun 2012, 13:08 pm
@TooMuchRugby(TooMuchRugby)-152:
Yes it is forgone conclusion I read. Better we just pack up and go home now.
7 Jun 2012, 13:09 pm
@willievz(willievz)-148: maybe it’s the prison food…..
7 Jun 2012, 13:09 pm
@hensopper1(hensopper1)-142: So what is Thierry Dusautoir… A “Left” or “Right” flanker?
7 Jun 2012, 13:10 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-131: Spies in wet weather?…….doubt their is a trick on earth never mind outer space a la Star Wars that can put some fire into that belly. This is my main gripe about sugar plum fairies like Spies and Kanko – those that surround them are pretty much f e c k e d, and are expected to divert from their strengths and ‘what they know and do best’ do in order to cover the fairies.
7 Jun 2012, 13:11 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-32:
think you’re right…
lancaster is not the usual pom coach… seems far more understated and actually a decent guy…
i do like the way he’s gone quietly about his business form the time he was appointed interim coach… nothing controversial, no braggadocio… just head down and work… no shouting his mouth off about wanting to be the next england coach… just doing such a fine job it was impossible for them not to appoint him…
stuart lancaster may be an effective coach and a good guy… but it’s a pity he has to play the boks first up… could see his hard work unravel very quickly…
just kidding…
i wouldn’t write the english off… think we’re gonna have a tough match on saturday…
7 Jun 2012, 13:13 pm
Pipe down just tennis.
7 Jun 2012, 13:13 pm
@Kietzphat(Kietzphat)-143: Thanks – very funny – made my day
7 Jun 2012, 13:15 pm
@ufo(ufo)-157:
Most are expecting your Boks to win. What a better platform to just play rugby and you never know what can happen. He wants the talking to be on the field of course.
7 Jun 2012, 13:15 pm
@race of tan(race of tan)-115: Yeah,Jeandre and Eben sure have the credentials to be the blood brothers of the future.
7 Jun 2012, 13:17 pm
@hensopper1(hensopper1)-142: Hi Hensopper
I think Foden is a solid option and would have been my choice 15 for the first test.
If Strettle was fit I am sure that Brown would be on the bench.
7 Jun 2012, 13:17 pm
Some Springbok supporters are like our National Football supporters. We actually think we are better than the results project.
7 Jun 2012, 13:22 pm
@Tourettes(Tourettes)-163: Do they also blame the ref when they lose? We tend to blame refs a lot, even in games we have been outsmarted, outwitted and outmuscled.
7 Jun 2012, 13:22 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-156: If anyone can get Spies to perform well in a defined role for the Boks it is Meyer…
7 Jun 2012, 13:26 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-164:
Yes every official whether running the line or blowing is against England even if the team we were playing beat us 4 – 0. A good example was the game against Germany in the World Cup. We were cursing the linesman for not allowing the goal, but forgot about all the others Germany put past us. We all love our national team now don’t we?
7 Jun 2012, 13:27 pm
@Tourettes(Tourettes)-166: If that goal was allowed and the score was to become 2-2, it would have been a totally different ballgame.
England would have had the mental edge.
7 Jun 2012, 13:28 pm
@Tourettes(Tourettes)-163: You seem about as “English” as a “Yarpie”… “National Football” – what’s that?
7 Jun 2012, 13:30 pm
@willievz(willievz)-167:
Yes but I didn’t want to say that. It would come across as arrogant. I like your thinking though.
7 Jun 2012, 13:32 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-168:
England Soccer (Football) Team. Not sure what you call the sport.
7 Jun 2012, 13:33 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-168:
You mean Yankee’s. They refer to it as Football too.
7 Jun 2012, 13:36 pm
@Tourettes(Tourettes)-170: Hehe… Dont mind me… you’re having fun it seems, “Pom”
7 Jun 2012, 13:38 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-165: I think that ship has sailed. And it seems Heyneke is also losing faith in the ‘superior physical specimen – joke’ agrees, with him selecting Bissie as VC. There will be no happier than I when I look at a Bok squad and see no Spies there. Thing is, his type never gets injured, whereas the brutal and effective ones often are – which means (like now) he is the last fairy left standing and get’s selected by default.
@Tourettes(Tourettes)-170: Soccer
7 Jun 2012, 13:41 pm
Yanks call it soccer. Only us and them, it seems.
7 Jun 2012, 13:42 pm
On its face the Poms looked to pay too much respect for Morne Styen’s @ Hougaard’s tactical and up & under kicking, or so it seemed?
I think the Poms actually looking to bank on these kicks by fielding 3 counter attacking backs who can kick out of hand too, targeting Habana, JP and Kirchner!
Did I detect the inside touch of Catt and Barritt here
7 Jun 2012, 13:45 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-173:
Do you watch a lot of Soccer? South Africa have a few good players too. Our favourite was Lucas Redeby. He was very good.
7 Jun 2012, 13:47 pm
I haven’t seen any articles by Keohane in a while now.
And where’s KeoTV?
7 Jun 2012, 13:58 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-154: That’s what I was thinking, but well put.
7 Jun 2012, 14:00 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-177:
Keep rubbing it !
You know the story about the skorpion and the Lions, don’t you?
if Keo goes down, so will the site which gives your qualified, educated, enlightening opinion a free stage
7 Jun 2012, 14:00 pm
He doesn’t have those privileges yet.
7 Jun 2012, 14:01 pm
Selecting young Joe Maher will please the Beast.
I would never underestimate these poms. Especially when everyone expects them to lose.
Barritt will be heavily motivted for this game.
7 Jun 2012, 14:04 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-177: I’ve been watching Keo TV but all I see is snow.
7 Jun 2012, 14:05 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-179:
Don’t worry Tork Craft and Alpen “drills for professional” will keep the site afloat.
I wonder if anyone on this site has ever bought their products subconsciously.
7 Jun 2012, 14:09 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-181: Yeah,Barritt was never considered for higher honours here,and Catt is talking up the physicality of the boks,so the poms will bring it for sure,but I think our side will have too much for them,gonna be a close call tho’
7 Jun 2012, 14:11 pm
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-183: Not to mention the Cybermetals coins. And now James Dalton wants me on his team, apparently. I’m not even sure what team he bats for.
7 Jun 2012, 14:11 pm
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-183:
I get my hole solution from ALPEN.
And I went to the hardware store yesterday and powered up my tools with Tork Craft power tool accessories.
7 Jun 2012, 14:19 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-185:
I saw James Dalton in Tokai the other day. He had his boy with him and has moved to Cape Town permanently.
James Dalton and keeping the Planet green just don’t gel.
7 Jun 2012, 14:28 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-155:
The french use almost 3 open side flanks. Generally go fro mobile lightweight but athletic looseforwards.
Harinordoquy is the best lineout exponent in the world bar none. And he is not even a lock
7 Jun 2012, 14:28 pm
167…on what basis would you say England would have had the mental edge……they couldn’t bloody defend. a few days later the huns put 4 past messi and his argies . these new German kids are the business who i fancy for the wc in Brazil.
7 Jun 2012, 14:33 pm
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-183:
A good question, certainly not me buying it
No idea how all that promotion and commercials working in the IT era, however a recent survey showed that more than 80% of the USA Pro basketball TV watchers are not falling into the ‘willing and able customers’ category’, in other words the promoters and sponors can’t possibly see a fair return in sales of their products!
7 Jun 2012, 14:45 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-186:
Disgusting
7 Jun 2012, 14:48 pm
James Daton in Cape Town???
This is not good for property prices in the area.
7 Jun 2012, 14:51 pm
Wptid is the complete tool solution
7 Jun 2012, 14:54 pm
@Tourettes(Tourettes)-130:
“There will be a lot of nerves amongst the new caps in Bok team.”
You don’t know Eben… He does not get nervous…
Eben is so tough Chuck Norris cancelled his trip to Cape Town…
Sylvester Stallone used to speak out of both sides of his mouth until Eben klapped him…
Eben is so tough that the Tokolosh sleeps with its bed on bricks…
(Or in English)… The Boogyman looks under its bed and in its cupboards to make sure Eben is not there…
When Eben goes swimming in False Bay… the Great White Sharks take out their boards and pretend to be surfers…
Cape Town doesn’t have earthquakes because Eben put his foot down… and asked the Earth if it was ready to rumble… it said no!
Now Eben eats his food from tectonic plates…!
7 Jun 2012, 14:55 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-192: There goes the neighbourhood. Maybe he’s on the witness relocation program.
7 Jun 2012, 14:58 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-195:
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-192:
now we know why they’ve cut down the tokai plantations… makes it easier for the police surveillance teams…
7 Jun 2012, 15:02 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-188: So… Dusautoir is one of “3 open sides”? On which side… Left or Right?
Sheezus, some of you okes and your theories….
7 Jun 2012, 15:05 pm
Bullet is going to drive the Gak prices through the roof.
Keo won’t be happy
7 Jun 2012, 15:06 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-193:
7 Jun 2012, 15:16 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-197:
I am pretty sure Dusatoir is considered an opensider, and plays in 6.
Don’t believe the others
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