5 New Faces For South Africa

New boy Christian Wade scores, to the delight of Dylan Hartley

Christian Wade (London Wasps)
This 5'8 speedster is a product of the London Wasps academy who has caught attention this year in a breakthrough season. Despite an injury over the dark winter months Wade returned to finish a highly impressive season as second top try scorer with 9 tries.A former England sevens player, he has the ability to score from anywhere on the pitch and has a real chance of playing in one of the tests in South Africa and is sure to start the first mid-week match.


Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)
Another academy product who has enjoyed an impressive season. Playing under Toby Booth and Mike Catt at London Irish, this outside centre will be pushing hard for a place in the England team. Blessed with speed, explosive power and deft hands he can be a real handful not only setting up tries but also scoring 6 this year in the premiership. He may not get his chance for the main team this tour, but is sure as Mike Catt said to play for England one day.


Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs)
Not as young as many of the new faces on this years tour, however, this 29 year old Chief has gas, power and the spirit that had carried Exeter a whisker away from this years play offs. Given England's back row injuries Johnson may start in the first test with captain Robshaw remaining at seven. With his impressive display against the Barbarians on Sunday there looks to be an opportunity opening for the stalwart of Exeter's fine season, who arguably deserves a shot at international rugby given his form. Nobody can deny his will and power, only tine will tell to see his international acumen.


Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Older brother of scrum half Ben, this hooker, former centre, is an exciting prospect for hooker. Blessed with pace and power, Youngs has not started a game at hooker this year for Leicester. Despite this, Youngs' speed an power has drawn attention to the England squad and would prove a valuable back up player if needed. Youngs' pace has the ability to go through tired legs and will be an asset for the mid-week squad.

Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)
Another member of last years England U20 squad to progress through to the full international squad, Launchbury made his debut against the Barbarians on Sunday. At 6'6 and 18 stone, Launchbury possesses not only size but also the agility and movement of a back rower as well as the ball carrying ability. Whilst England have brought a number of other faces to South Africa, Launchbury will benefit from mid week games against the South African Barbarian sides.

England's South Africa Tour

Chris Robshaw with England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster

Today marks the start of England's 3 test tour in South Africa, with the team coming together in their host nation. What can we expect results wise? Player wise? Who will shine? Who will flounder?

Well to put it bluntly, it will be hard. With two mid-week games the youngsters such as Jonathon Joseph (London Irish), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps) and Carl Fearns (Bath) to be incorporated into the England set up. Along with these names, the exciting prospect of Christian Wade (London Wasps) scorer of 1 and supplier of 1 against the Barbarians may be in line for a test debut against the Bokke in one of the three tests. There will indeed be plenty of talent for England fans to feast their eyes on this Summer.

The prospects of winning a test in South Africa is much more of a challenge. One will expect two mid week wins, but the Tests will be a different matter. Despite the loss of Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield, stalwarts of the team, Heynke Meyer will have no trouble in motivating what will be a young South Africa side. Given the lack of experience for the England side and the fact that a number of the England side have never toured before with the international side doesn't bode well for the physical onslaught of the South African pack. However, one win is not beyond the realms of possibility if England are able to get some 'go forward' up front and are able to harness the power and speed of messrs Tuilagi, Ashton and Foden. 

Whatever will happen in the coming weeks it will be entertaining, eye opening and a lesson for Stuart Lancaster be it positive or negative, lets just hope it isn't a repeat of the infamous 'Tour of Hell' in 1998.