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Rugby Union

Skirving handed England debut

01/06/2007

Saracens number eight Ben Skirving will make his international debut for England as an under-strength side take on South Africa in Pretoria tomorrow.

The 23-year-old back-row forward comes into the side after flanker Chris Jones was dropped to the bench after a below-par performance in the first Test in Bloemfontein.

Nick Easter, who played at number eight in that match, moves to blind-side flanker and Magnus Lund comes in for injury-victim Andy Hazell.

These two changes in personnel are just two of six alterations as coach Brian Ashton is forced to rearrange his starting XV because of a series of set-backs for several players.

The highest-profile absentee is tour captain Jason Robinson who suffered a knee injury in a collision in the first Test with his replacement as skipper, Jonny Wilkinson.

And although the fly-half was unable to take a full part in training earlier in the week, he is named in the starting line-up for Saturday.

He is joined in the backs by Newcastle Falcons club-mates Toby Flood, who plays inside centre; Mathew Tait, who plays outside centre; and Jamie Noon who moves from the centres to the open-side wing.

Saracens wing Dan Scarbrough earns his first cap for nearly four years after being flown out to South Africa as cover because of the injury crisis and Mike Brown is fit to resume his duties at full-back.

South African-born front-row Matt Stevens is joined by Kevin Yates and Mark Regan at the head of the pack, while Roy Winters is rewarded for an excellent Guinness Premiership season with a place at lock instead of Dean Schofield.

Alex Brown is the other second-row as England seek to avenge last week's 58-10 defeat to the hosts – their seventh consecutive defeat away from Twickenham.

England starting XV for second Test against South Africa:
15 - Mike Brown (Harlequins)
14 - Jamie Noon (Newcastle Falcons)
13 - Mathew Tait (Newcastle Falcons)
12 - Toby Flood (Newcastle Falcons)
11 - Dan Scarbrough (Saracens)
10 - Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons, captain)
9 - Andy Gomarsall (Harlequins);
1 - Kevin Yates (Saracens)
2 - Mark Regan (Bristol)
3 - Matt Stevens (Bath)
4 - Roy Winters (Bristol)
5 - Alex Brown (Gloucester)
6 - Nick Easter (Harlequins)
7 - Magnus Lund (Sale Sharks)
8 - Ben Skirving (Saracens)

Replacements: Andy Titterrell, Stuart Turner (Sale Sharks), Dean Schofield (Sale Sharks), Chris Jones (Sale Sharks), Shaun Perry (Bristol), Anthony Allen (Gloucester), Nick Abendanon (Bath).

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