'Brave' Lancaster leads the way
England coach Stuart Lancaster made a few 'brave' selections and is hopeful that his team will follow his example in the first Test against South Africa on Saturday.
The England boss may have had his hand forced by injuries when he announced his team with a few key changes, but he is confident that they will be tactically well equipped to deal with the challenge that the Springboks will present at Kings Park.
A calf injury to wing David Strettle has seen the England boss shift regular fullback Ben Foden out to the left wing, with Harlequins' Mike Brown called in to take the No.15 jersey.
This is a bold move, but one that makes a lot of sense considering the likely assault of contestable kicks that the Springboks will launch, and with right wing Chris Ashton having played fullback in his Rugby League days Lancaster has a back three who should all be comfortable under the high balls that will rain down on them, and who are can all contribute to the territorial battle through intelligent tactical kicking.
He said: "Mike [Brown] has had an outstanding season, he brings a left-footed kicking game and great aerial skills along with Ben [Foden].
"Ben is obviously a great strike runner as well. He has been great about it and he can see the benefits of how this can open his game up.
"When you make these decisions there is an element that wonders how he will go in this situation but we have had 10 days together, and we have worked on it for those 10 days.
"Sometimes you have to make brave decisions and, from my point of view, it is the right decision for the team and it is going to benefit the team massively, hopefully," added the England coach.
Up front Brown's 21-year-old Harlequins teammate Joe Marler is handed his debut, and Lancaster said that although the injury to Alex Corbisiero was unfortunate, he is excited to see what Marler has to offer at Test level and pointed to his impressive discipline in the front row as a key attribute in the expected scrum battle with the experienced Springbok front row.
He explained: "Joe [Marler] did really well in the Six Nations and was unlucky not to get a cap. Alex [Corbesiero] has had one or two niggles but I think Joe would have pushed him hard from the outset.
"I thought in the (Premiership) final he [Marler] proved his worth against our tighthead - Dan Cole is a pretty experienced campaigner.
"All the players recognise discipline is going to be a key factor on Saturday - we can ill afford to give away penalties - and I think Joe has been excellent throughout the season," added Lancaster.
With Tom Croft also sidelined through injury Lancaster had to come up with a solution on the side of the scrum, and 29-year-old Exeter Chiefs flank Tom Johnson was the man to get the call-up to face the intimidating Bok loose trio.
Lancaster said that Johnson has shown a good determined attitude this season and added that he has the attributes to take the game to the hosts.
"He [Johnson] was outstanding against the Barbarians and has been very good in training this week.
"You only have to look at the stats for the season and I think the top two or three ball-carriers are all in the starting side, and Tom Johnson is one of them.
"He is a good defender, incredibly athletic and explosive," said the England coach.
The final change in Lancaster's team sees scrumhalf Ben Youngs replace Lee Dixon and the England coach said that his impressive recent form had seen him secure the No.9 jersey ahead of his rival.
"Ben's form certainly picked up post the Ireland game, right through to the end of the season, and I think just edged it over Lee," he said.
Following big away wins over Ireland and France in the Six Nations Lancaster's team will be out to claim another major scalp on Saturday, and considering the fact that all of the changes to the team relate to the strengths of the opposition means that the coach has given them a great chance of pulling off another upset.
By Michael de Vries, in Durban