DAN Robson could get his first taste of international life at Twickenham after being called up to the England XV squad to take on Barbarians.
The former Stoke and Longton prospect, who now stars for Gloucester, has been named as a replacement for the match on Sunday.
The 22-year-old could feature against former team-mate and All Black World Cup winner Jimmy Cowan if he gets a call from the bench.
It is another feather in the cap for the half-back this season, coming after he made his debut for England Saxons in a 16-16 draw with Scotland in January.
Leicester lock Graham Kitchener will captain the side, which includes three full caps and eight England Saxons stars.
Fiji-born Army solider Semesa Rokoduguni will add flair to a back line marshalled by Exeter inside-back duo and England Under-20s graduates Henry Slade and Sam Hill.
Coach Jon Callard rejected talk the contest has been devalued by the fixture clash with the Premiership final and upcoming tour of New Zealand.
The former Bath and England full-back said the non-cap affair helps senior boss Lancaster add vital depth to his wider squad.
He said: “We’re now starting to get a real, strong pool of players, to the point where we could go five or six deep.
“It’s vitally important that all these players have a chance to make the New Zealand tour.
“Any one of these players could be on a plane next week.”
Harlequins youngsters Kyle Sinckler and Will Collier will use the game to battle for the final prop berth for the tour.
The duo guided Quins to the Aviva Premiership play-offs and England XV coach Jon Callard believes they indicate a rapid growth in resources in a problem position.
England had entered the RBS 6 Nations with just Bath’s Davey Wilson fit and experienced at tight-head, and forced to blood Henry Thomas with Dan Cole sidelined through neck trouble.
“The senior team will already have a certain eye of what they want in terms of who goes out next week,” said Callard.
“But for us it’s about those performing first and foremost for this team, and not worrying what the flight could be like on Monday.”
Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24412491
Rugby: Dan Robson named in England XV squad to take on Barbarians
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