• Rugby Union

  • Six Nations

England News

News

  • News
  • Teams
  • Fixtures
  • Results
  • Tables
  • Pundits
  • On Sky TV
  • Score Centre
  • Sky Bet
  • Get Sky Sports
More from Rugby Union
  • Rugby Union Home
  • Six Nations

Crusaders v England: Ed Slater to skipper midweek team in Christchurch

Last Updated: 16/06/14 3:23pm

Ed Slater believes England's match against the Crusaders is an important one for them to win
Ed Slater believes England's match against the Crusaders is an important one for them to win

Uncapped Leicester second row Ed Slater will captain England in Tuesday's fixture against the Crusaders, with Danny Cipriani starting at fly-half.

Cipriani, who won his eighth cap in the 20-15 first Test defeat by the All Blacks at Eden Park, is one of 11 players with Test experience in the starting XV.

In a vote of confidence in the Sale playmaker, he keeps Stephen Myler on the bench despite having been behind his Northampton rival in the pecking order before departing for New Zealand.

England have named an experienced backline for their only midweek fixture of the tour, anchored by inside centre Brad Barritt.

New Zealand v England: Highlights
New Zealand v England: Highlights

The Saracens back links up with Henry Trinder in midfield, with Alex Goode at full-back and Ben Foden on the right wing.

Bath rookie Anthony Watson, who alongside Trinder is the only uncapped player in the backline, has been given a start on the left wing with Lee Dickson at scrum-half.

Important

Slater's lack of Test experience has not prevented him from being asked to lead the team with Alex Waller, who scored the Aviva Premiership title-winning try for Northampton, named at loosehead.

The presence of Dave Attwood and James Haskell in the second and back rows adds beef to the pack, while Matt Kvesic has a chance to claw back some of the ground lost on Chris Robshaw at openside.

Stuart Lancaster thinks England are closing the gap on the All Blacks
Stuart Lancaster thinks England are closing the gap on the All Blacks

"This is a really important match for us in terms of the development of our squad," England head coach Stuart Lancaster said.

"We wanted this game to test ourselves against a top Super 15 side and, with a large squad out here, we are hoping to create opportunities for everyone to lay down a marker on this tour.

"Ed is a natural leader who has captained Leicester well, and I'm sure he will do the same with this England side.

"We are treating this as an additional Test, and I know the Crusaders will be highly motivated to put in a good performance on the back of their Super 15 form."

Slater is understandably delighted to have been handed the reins.

No illusions

"This is a big opportunity and Stuart has spoken about lifting the spirit," said Slater.

"We're under no illusions about what's happened - we've lost the last two games and this is a chance for us to lift the spirit in the camp.

Greenwood and Lynagh pick the England team for the third Test
Greenwood and Lynagh pick the England team for the third Test

"We've been close in the last two Test games and guys are really eager to make their mark in this game.

"Our focus first and foremost is to play well as a team, but we definitely need to get that win."

England forwards coach Graham Rowntree added: "We have a competitive squad and a big squad and that's the reason we've brought so many guys - to have a look at them in training and to play in this game.

"People like Ed have been excellent to work with - they've been patient and this is their big stage.

"We haven't yet finalised things for the final Test, so there is a lot to play for."

England: 15 Goode, 14 Foden, 13 Trinder, 12 Barritt, 11 Watson, 10 Cipriani, 9 Dickson, 1 Waller, 2 Gray, 3 Thomas, 4 Slater (capt), 5 Attwood, 6 Haskell, 7 Kvesic, 8 Johnson.

Replacements: 16 Ward, 17 Catt, 18 Sinckler, 19 Paterson, 20 Wigglesworth, 21 Myler, 22 May, 23 Pennell.

Trending

  • 1
    Salah crowned PFA Player of the Year
  • 2
    Neville on Simeone for Arsenal
  • 3
    Jose: When I don't win, you kill me
  • 4
    Neville's De Bruyne tribute
  • 5
    Wenger 'hurt' by Arsenal fans
  • 6
    Wenger breaks silence on exit
  • 7
    McLaren readying big upgrade
  • 8
    Salah's special season
  • 9
    Khan wants Brook over world title
  • 10
    Moyes fumes after Rice error
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Motorsport
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • WWE
    • eSports
    • More Sports
    • Winter Olympics
    • Commonwealth Games
    • Joshua vs Parker
  • Score Centre
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Competitions
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Pub Finder
    • Team Sky
    • Sportswomen
    • Sports Scholarships
    • Clubs in Communities
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Living for Sport
    • Contact Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Sky.com
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
    • Team Sky
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Sky Sports Pub Finder
    • Living for Sport
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Corporate
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Now TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Sky Academy
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Work for Sky
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

©2018 Sky UK