Danny Cipriani set for All Blacks Test
Danny Cipriani’s quest to earn his first Test cap since 2008 has moved one step closer after he was named in the England squad that will prepare the first Test against New Zealand.
The Sale fly-half and 29 other players will leave for Auckland tomorrow with the first Test on June 7 in mind while another group will leave on Monday, June 2 after the Premiership final.
Stuart Lancaster also named a 23-man squad that will take on the Barbarians on Sunday.
He said: “We are excited about the squad we are taking to New Zealand and, while there continues to be challenges in selection, we will be well and truly ready for the 1st Test. It has a been good few days training and great to be able to work with a larger group of players in the lead up to the Barbarians game and the tour.
“With the Barbarians game and the Premiership final to come we will make our final selection once we know the availability of all players. This group will fly out on the Monday following the Barbarians game.
“As is often the case there are some players unavailable through injury and it is a shame that recently both George Ford (Bath) and Anthony Allen (Leicester) have had to withdraw due to shoulder and knee injuries sustained towards the end of the season
“Anthony Watson (Bath) is being treated for a hamstring injury and will continue his recovery in England before a final decision is made on whether he will join us in New Zealand on the Monday flight post Aviva final and Barbarians game.”
England squad for first All Blacks Test
Loose-heads: Joe Marler (Harlequins), Matt Mullan (London Wasps)
Tight-head: Kieran Brookes (Newcastle), Henry Thomas (Sale), David Wilson (Bath)
Hookers: Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), Joe Gray (Harlequins), Dave Ward (Harlequins), Rob Webber (Bath)
Locks: Dave Attwood (Bath), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Geoff Parling (Leicester), Ed Slater (Leicester)
Back rows: James Haskell (London Wasps), Tom Johnson (Exeter), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Half-backs: Danny Care (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester), Freddie Burns (Gloucester), Danny Cipriani (Sale)
Centres: Kyle Eastmond (Bath), Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester), Henry Trinder (Gloucester), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester)
Back threes: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Jonny May (Gloucester), Chris Pennell (Worcester), Marland Yarde (London Irish)
England squad for Barbarians game
Loose-heads: Nathan Catt (Bath), Ross Harrison (Sale)
Tight-heads: Will Collier (Harlequins), Kyle Sinkler (Harlequins)
Hookers: Rob Buchanan (Harlequins), Tommy Taylor (Sale)
Locks: Graham Kitchener (Leicester), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), Michael Paterson (Sale)
Back rows: Dave Ewers (Exeter), James Gaskell (Sale), Jamie Gibson (Leicester), Luke Wallace (Harlequins)
Half-backs: Dan Robson (Gloucester), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter)
Centres: Ollie Devoto (Bath), Sam Hill (Exeter), Jonathan Joseph (Bath)
Back threes: Elliot Daly (London Wasps), Rob Miller (Sale), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath), Charlie Sharples (Gloucester)
