Lancaster: Test places up for grabs

England coach Stuart Lancaster told his midweek team Monday that there are Test places up for grabs against the Springboks in Port Elizabeth this weekend.

The 'dirt trackers' face the northern version of the South African Barbarians - a selection of players from the First Division, the second tier of the country's domestic competition - at Olën Park in north-west university town Potchefstroom Tuesday.

"We talked today [Monday] about finishing the tour to South Africa strongly this week and these players have a great opportunity to do this in the second of two midweek matches," Lancaster told a media scrum.

"There are still selection decisions to be made for Saturday, but the players' focus will be on putting in a strong cohesive team performance and building on the positives from last week."

England lost the first two Tests 22-17 in Durban and 36-27 in Johannesburg and must do without injured skipper Chris Robshaw when they try to avoid a whitewash Saturday at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Left wing Ugo Monye makes his first appearance of the three-week tour and is among six changes to the side that overcome the Southern Barbarians 54-26 in Kimberley last Wednesday.

Monye replaces George Lowe, who had to return home at the weekend with left ankle ligament damage, and young flier Christian Wade switches wings to the right.

"Ugo is the only player yet to have any game time and I am delighted that he will have a run out to cap what has been a fantastic club season [at Harlequins] for him," said Lancaster.

AFP