NZ Maori v England: Teams
Saracens centre Brad Barritt is relishing the chance to make his first appearance for England against New Zealand Maori in Napier.
Last Updated: 22/06/10 3:32pm
Saracens centre Brad Barritt is relishing the chance to make his first appearance for England in the final tour game against New Zealand Maori in Napier.
The 23-year-old only teamed up with England ahead of the second Test victory over Australia after playing for the Saxons in the Churchill Cup.
And despite having been born in South Africa, Barritt insists he has strong links with England.
"Both my grandparents are English and my grandfather played for English universities at fly-half. He has always wanted me to play for England," said Barritt.
"I can understand the debate because people want to see guys who have come through the system.
Roots
"I have strong English roots and a lot of my extended family, aunts and uncles live in England. I haven't just chosen a country and moved over there.
"I actually attended an England Under-19 camp shortly after school. I was very close to joining Bath University.
"A few of the guys like Dom Waldouck and Shane Geraghty were at that camp, so I have known a few of these guys for a while."
Barritt will partner Mathew Tait in the centres, with Chris Ashton called into action four days after his try-scoring exploits against the Wallabies.
Fellow Test heroes Dan Cole, Ben Youngs and Ben Foden all start on the bench, while Danny Care, George Chuter and Delon Armitage, replacements in Sydney, all start.
Phil Dowson, who also joined the tour late, starts at No.8, while flanker Chris Robshaw named as skipper.
The New Zealand Maori have made two changes to their line-up from the side that beat Ireland 31-28.
Coach Jamie Joseph has named Karl Lowe and Clint Newland in his starting XV, with a familiar face of former Sale ace Luke McAlister lining up in the centres.
New Zealand Maori: 15 R Robinson (Southland), 14 S Maitland (Canterbury), 13 D Sweeney (Waikato), 12 L McAlister (North Harbour), 11 H Gear (Wellington), 10 S Brett (Canterbury), 9 A Smith (Manawatu), 1 C Newland (Hawke's Bay), 2 C Flynn (Canterbury), 3 B Afeaki (North Harbour), 4 H Triggs (Otago), 5 J Hoeata (Taranaki), 6 K Lowe (Hawke's Bay), 7 T Latimer (Bay of Plenty), 8 L Messam (Waikato, capt).
Replacements: 16 D Coles (Wellington), 17 B Murray (Northland), 18 I Ross (Canterbury), 19 C Bourke (Bay of Plenty), 20 R Tipuna (Wellington), 21 W Ripia (Taranaki), 22 J Willison (Waikato).
England: 15 D Armitage (London Irish), 14 D Strettle (Harlequins), 13 M Tait (Sale Sharks), 12 B Barritt (Saracens), 11 C Ashton (Northampton), 10 C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), 9 D Care (Harlequins), 1 D Flatman (Bath), 2 G Chuter (Leicester), 3 P Doran-Jones (Gloucester), 4 D Attwood (Gloucester), 5 G Parling (Leicester), 6 C Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), 7 S Armitage (London Irish), 8 P Dowson (Northampton).
Replacements: 16 R Webber (Wasps), 17 D Cole (Leicester), 18 D Ward-Smith (Wasps), 19 J Haskell (Stade Francais), 20 B Youngs (Leicester), 21 S Geraghty (Northampton), 22 B Foden (Northampton).