Stuart Barnes told Sky Sports News that Danny Care and Topsy Ojo should play against New Zealand.
Barnes calls for England to give youth its head in New Zealand
Stuart Barnes has urged England to give youth its head in New Zealand.
Martin Johnson's first squad for the two Test series against the All Blacks includes six uncapped players and a new skipper in Steve Borthwick.
Barnes described the initial 32-man party as the usual "combination of tried and trusted and bright players" but believes it will be purely "cosmetic" unless Johnson and Rob Andrew - who takes charge of the side - turn to the likes of Danny Care, Danny Cipriani and Topsy Ojo.
"They are capable of winning in New Zealand," he told
Sky Sports News.
"I would like to see Care and Cipriani at half-back, even though they don't have any experience - only one cap between them - and you can't get away from that.
"There is a danger that it could implode, but I'd like to see England give themselves a chance of something coming off. If you look for positives hard enough, you will find negatives. England have to be a little bit bolder than they have been for the last five years."
Care, Ojo, Jason Hobson, Dylan Hartley, David Paice and Nick Kennedy are the six fledglings in with a chance of making their international bows in New Zealand.
And of the half-dozen, Barnes believes Harlequins scrum-half Care and London Irish winger Ojo are the two who the selectors should turn to as they look for a fresh start under the new management.
"Care has got the better of Harry Ellis, who is another player who is being rested for an operation.
Barometer
"Had he gone I think it would have been a very tough call anyway. Richard Wigglesworth did very well for England against France - he was not so impressive against Ireland - and this is a position where you will get a barometer of just how bold England will be.
"Wigglesworth served them well but is not a world-beater and Care might emerge. The question is will England give him a game early on?
"It's only his second year of Premiership rugby, but if England are bold, Danny Care is the choice. If they are going to be a little bit conservative, it's probably Wigglesworth with Peter Richards on the bench. In any case, that's a good choice.
"Ojo is one who I think has been staggering in the last three months. He's started to score tries, he's making tries and he's very solid under the high ball as well and I really do think he's the dark horse to come through and challenge for that 15.
"He's a player out of all the young ones that I'd like to see get one Test match at least."
Barnes also refused to write off England's chances of springing what would be a major surprise and beating the All Blacks.
While England's selection and subsequent bold approach is crucial, he also pointed out that the home side are not only struggling with key absentees, but are far from the formidable force we have seen in the past.
"New Zealand now have a lot of key players playing in the Northern Hemisphere, we haven't seen a replacement for Carl Hayman; I haven't seen one for Chris Jack; there's a few other injuries in the second row; the front five is not what it was; they don't have a midfield and Joe Rokocoko is missing.
"Yes, New Zealand away is always going to be difficult, but I honestly think England, if they are very positive about this, have a sniff of winning the first Test.
"New Zealand are also coming off the back of the ELV's which is a very different type of rugby and they've only got Ireland - which could be very difficult within itself - before England. So yes, England have a chance."
