Tom Johnson and Joe Marler will make their England Test debuts in the first match of the Castle series in Durban on Saturday.

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Exeter Chiefs flanker Johnson and Harlequins prop Marler will win their first caps at Mr Price Kings Park in a team showing four personnel and one positional change from the starting line-up against Ireland in the final RBS 6 Nations outing.

Marler replaces Alex Corbisiero at loosehead, Johnson comes in for Tom Croft at blindside while there are also changes at scrum half, where Leicester Tiger Ben Youngs starts ahead of Lee Dickson and in the back three Northampton’s Ben Foden moves to the left wing for David Strettle and to accommodate Harlequins’ Mike Brown at full back.

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.

“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.

“It is competitive in lots of positions but particularly at scrum half. We are really pleased with Ben’s form and he knows our systems well. Lee, if he gets his chance from the bench I am sure will make an impact and Danny will get his opportunity to press his case, as will the others, in the first midweek game on Wednesday.

“It’s also great to see another young player get test match experience and Jonathan Joseph is delighted to get this opportunity in the match 22 and we are confident he is ready for the step up to this level..

“We have made no secret of how tough this series will be but it is an opportunity we do not fear and with the 22 we have selected, including an experienced bench, I am confident that we can perform.”

Elsewhere, Owen Farrell starts at fly half and Scarlets No.8 Ben Morgan has sufficiently recovered from his hamstring strain to retain his place. England’s most capped squad member Toby Flood, with 47, and British and Irish Lion Lee Mears provide experience on the bench. London Irish centre Jonathan Joseph, 21, could also make his Test debut as a replacement.

Team: 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,

Replacements: 16 Lee Mears, 17 Paul Doran Jones, 18 Tom Palmer, 19 Phil Dowson, 20 Lee Dickson, 21 Toby Flood, 22 Jonathan Joseph

4 Responses to England team announced

  • 1

    Wonder when last (if ever) and what level Ben Foden has played on the wing.

  • 2

    A lot has been said about the Boks new lock pairing but remember England are touring without arguably their best lock (and hardman albeit penalty machine) Courtney Lawes. Geoff Parling has been in good form for Leicester but don’t think his is in same league as Lawes when it comes to physicality. Parling’s Leicester team mate and fellow international lock Louis Deacon is also missing. So when we mention SA’s lock pairing again in the same breathe should also say BUT England are maybe not fielding their best locks…

  • 3

    Thought that Alex Corbisiero was playing well at prop in last 6 nations but don’t see him anywhere not even on the bench, I think he is on the tour but maybe is still carrying injury. Then again the commentators were raving about Joe Marler in the premiership final so his Harlequins form is being rewarded along with that of fellow Quin Mike Brown. Joe Marler slightly shorter than Jannie du Plessis – 5cm – don’t know if this is significant come on you scrum gurus – will that help him to get lower and unsettle Jannie.

  • 4

    3@ Bullscot:I also wondered about the injury status.

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