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Rugby Union

First start for Care as England ring changes

17/06/2008

Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care is in line to make his full debut for England in the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.

The highly-touted 21-year-old is one of six changes to the team that started the first Test in Auckland, which England lost 37-20.

Care came on as a replacement in that game for his first cap and impressed alongside fellow substitute Toby Flood in the half-backs.

Flood replaces Hodgson, who came in for severe criticism for his lightweight defence and inability to provide a cutting edge for the tourists last week, while there are three other changes in the backs.

Jamie Noon, who steps in for Olly Barkley, comes in at inside centre to partner Mike Tindall; Mathew Tait replaces Mike Brown at full-back; and Tom Varndell comes in for David Strettle on the wing.

The only change in the pack sees Tim Payne deputising for injured prop Andrew Sheridan at loose-head.

Barkley and Strettle drop to the bench after losing their starting spots, while uncapped Bristol prop Jason Hobson and London Irish scrum-half Peter Richards are called into the 22.

Hodgson, Brown and scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth are dropped.

Full England team to face New Zealand in second Test:

15- Mathew Tait (Newcastle Falcons)
14- Topsy Ojo (London Irish)
13- Mike Tindall (Gloucester Rugby)
12- Jamie Noon (Newcastle Falcons)
11- Tom Varndell (Leicester Tigers)
10- Toby Flood (Newcastle Falcons)
9- Danny Care (Harlequins)
1- Tim Payne (London Wasps)
2- Lee Mears (Bath)
3- Matt Stevens (Bath)
4- Tom Palmer (London Wasps)
5- Steve Borthwick (Bath, captain)
6- James Haskell (London Wasps)
7- Tom Rees (London Wasps)
8- Luke Narraway (Gloucester)

Replacements:
16- Jason Hobson (Bristol)
17- David Paice (London Irish)
18- Ben Kay (Leicester Tigers)
19- Joe Worsley (London Wasps)
20- Pete Richards (London Irish)
21- Olly Barkley (Bath)
22- David Strettle (Harlequins)