Tuesday 27 November 2012

Courtney Lawes named in England squad for Saturday's clash with New Zealand

England have been boosted by the return of Courtney Lawes to the 23-man squad for this Saturday's clash with New Zealand at Twickenham.
The fit-again Northampton lock replaces Mouritz Botha, while Freddie Burns comes in for the injured Toby Flood in an otherwise unchanged squad from the one which took on South Africa last Saturday.
Flood suffered an injury to his toe in the 16-15 defeat to the Springboks, which means Owen Farrell is likely to start at fly-half against the world champions, with Burns - in superb form for Gloucester - providing back-up on the bench.
Saints star Lawes is yet to feature in the autumn internationals because of a knee injury.
England coach Stuart Lancaster said: "Firstly to those guys who won't be coming back in on Wednesday, their attitude over the last five weeks has been first-rate with the energy and enthusiasm they have brought to the squad both on and off the field.
"Unfortunately we can only pick 23 but they have all pushed hard for selection and I know they will go back to their clubs hungry to force their way into the Elite Player Squad in January.
"For those in Saturday's squad the message is clear - last week we went toe to toe with the second best team in the world and felt we should have won.
"Now we have a chance to take on the number one side in front of a passionate Twickenham crowd, who have been fantastic throughout the QBE Internationals, and it is a challenge we will meet head on."
Forwards: Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole, James Haskell, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Ben Morgan, David Paice, Geoff Parling, Chris Robshaw, Mako Vunipola, David Wilson, Tom Wood, Tom Youngs
Backs: Chris Ashton, Brad Barritt, Mike Brown, Freddie Burns, Danny Care, Owen Farrell, Alex Goode, Jonathan Joseph, Manusamoa Tuilagi, Ben Youngs
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/8290543/Courtney-Lawes-named-in-England-squad-for-Saturday-s-clash-with-New-Zealand

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