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Rugby Union

Easter handed England captaincy

28/05/2008

Harlequins number eight Nick Easter has been named England captain for this Sunday's challenge match against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

Easter leads a new-look pack into the exhibition game against the invitational side, which sees six uncapped players included in the starting XV.

An all-new front row includes London Irish hooker David Paice, Saracens tight-head prop Nick Lloyd and Bristol loose head Jason Hobson.

Paice's Exiles team-mate Nick Kennedy will make his international debut in the second row while Harlequins flanker Will Skinner will play at blindside.

A third Irish player - Topsy Ojo - is the only debutant in the backs, although playing in the game will not officially earn a cap for any of the newcomers as it is a non-cap match.

Quins' David Strettle returns to the wing for the first time since missing the Six Nations because of injury, with Newcastle Falcons centres Toby Flood and Mathew Tait playing in midfield.

With both Jonny Wilkinson and Danny Cipriani out injured, Sale Sharks fly-half Charlie Hodgson gets the nod from new team manager Martin Johnson to play at ten.

Hodgson will be joined in the half-backs by club-mate Richard Wigglesworth with youngster Danny Care, who was touted by some as a possible starter, included among the replacements.

Full England team to face the Barbarians:

15- Mike Brown (Harlequins)
14- Topsy Ojo (London Irish)
13- Mathew Tait (Newcastle Falcons)
12- Toby Flood (Newcastle Falcons)
11- David Strettle (Harlequins)
10- Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks)
9- Richard Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks)
8- Nick Easter (Harlequins)
7- Will Skinner (Harlequins)
6- Luke Narraway (Gloucester)
5- Nick Kennedy (London Irish)
4- Chris Jones (Sale Sharks)
3- Jason Hobson (Bristol)
2- David Paice (London Irish)
1- Nick Lloyd (Saracens)

Replacements:
16- Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
17- David Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)
18- Stuart Hooper (Leeds)
19- Tom Guest (Harlequins)
20- Danny Care (Harlequins)
21- Peter Richards (London Irish)
22- Ugo Monye (Harlequins)