Meet the England new boys

Eurosport - Wed, 05 Nov 19:40:00 2008

England manager Martin Johnson has named four uncapped players in his starting XV for the Pacific Islands clash on Saturday, plus another on the bench, for what promises to be a new dawn for the Red Rose.

Riki Flutey - Wasps - 0

Ugo Moyne (Harlequins) - wing

Age: 25

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 184lbs

A genuine sprint prospect in his teens - 10.6 seconds for the 100m aged just 16 - Moyne has been in terrific form for Harlequins this season. A late call up to Johnson's elite player squad, Moyne has worked hard on his game in recent years and has been instrumental in Quins' resurgence since they returned to the Guinness Premiership two seasons ago. Has touched down five times in seven games this campaign and looks ready to take his chance with both hands. With Paul Sackey on the other wing, England now have genuine gas on both flanks.

Delon Armitage (London Irish) - full-back

Age: 24

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 176lbs

Another late call up to the EPS, Armitage is a product of England coach Brian Smith's time in charge of London Irish. A consistent performer who will be ready to implement a more attacking approach should England choose one. Trinidad-born, Armitage played for France U16 when his large, rugby-playing family were based in Nice. Brother Steffon patrols the openside for the Exiles with real distinction and is very much a prospect for senior England honours. Other brother Bevon plays for National Division One side Doncaster while youngsters Joe and Guy are also budding prospects. Gets his chance at 15 due to injuries to Matthew Tait and Nick Abendanon. Another player who looks set to take advantage of his surprise opportunity.

Nick Kennedy (London Irish) - lock

Age: 26

Height: 6'8

Weight: 263lbs

The Guinness Premiership's outstanding lineout operator last season, Kennedy finally gets his chance to show what he can do at the highest level. Alongside team-mate Bob Casey, Kennedy has made the Exiles' lineout a real weapon in recent seasons and his selection is an indication that England will look to control territory before putting width on the ball. With fellow lock Steve Borthwick and über-athlete Tom Croft on the flank, England have the potential to be a dominant force at set piece, an area they are likely to try and exploit against the Pacific Islands.

Riki Flutey (Wasps) - inside centre

Age: 28

Height: 5'10

Weight: 195lbs

The former Junior All Black (pictured) qualifies for England on residency grounds and certainly deserves his chance after being voted Guinness Premiership players' player of the year last season. The Wellington-born Flutey is renowned for his highly-professional approach and will form a 10-12 combination with Wasps team-mate Danny Cipriani. Inside centre has been a problem position for England since the post-2003 World Cup retirement of Will Greeenwod and Johnson will be keeping his fingers crossed that he has found the answer in Flutey. Joined Wasps from London Irish, so another player with connections to Smith.

Dylan Hartley (Northampton) - hooker

Age: 22

Height: 6'1

Weight: 241lbs

Loses out to Bath's Lee Mears for the hooker's starting jersey, but such is his promise the New Zealand-born Hartley is likely to see some action off the bench. Has developed a reputation for wayward aggression and missed out on the 2007 World Cup while serving a six-month ban for gouging. A saint he is not, but clearly deserves a chance to show what he can do at senior level after impressing for the Saxons. A big unit, there is something of the Steve Thompson about him and could one day form a pretty fearsome front row with the likes of Andrew Sheridan and Matt Stevens.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 9 of 9

Sort comments by: Most recent
  1. KBW is obviously a @#$%! We are one world one planet and we dont want dumb @#$% like KBW involved in Rugby and what is English anyway.

    From andimantej@..., on Thu 6 Nov 11:42PM
  2. kbw do you have a problem with black players playing for England?

    From Salamander, on Thu 6 Nov 10:32AM
  3. good luck guys have great game from anniexxxx

    From stevecarlisle2003, on Thu 6 Nov 7:06AM
  4. i am fully confident johnson will sort out England and build a winning squad for the next world cup, come on boys.

    From timgurr@..., on Wed 5 Nov 10:56PM
  5. its actually Ugo Monye

    From youngaub7, on Wed 5 Nov 7:56PM
  6. We don't want "British" names, just players who want to play for England. Also players having a foreign name has never been a deterrent to Southern hemisphere selectors

    From Nick P, on Wed 5 Nov 7:26PM
  7. Ugo Moyne and Delom Armitage..........beautiful BRITISH names!!!!!!! How long before they're known as the All Blacks?????????

    From kbw, on Wed 5 Nov 6:28PM
  8. Doesnt matter who you all get, you will still play the same type of game, up the jumper stuff, Martin Johnson was a great player but should stay out of coaching.

    From clive d, on Wed 5 Nov 1:21PM
  9. Good Luck Lads. Score a try Ugo give it your best and have a great game.

    From greenbees, on Wed 5 Nov 12:30PM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account