England flyers last chance to impress

Last week saw Stuart Lancaster select his provisional 50 man World Cup training squad, and with it he proved that he stuck by his principles of not selecting players plying their trade outside of England.

In a news-heavy week for the England camp, the squad to face the Barbarians on Sunday was also announced.

24 players have been selected for the ‘England XV’, 10 of which are already in Lancaster’s World Cup training squad. For Joe Launchbury, recently returned from injury, the game is a chance for more match fitness and for others in the 50 man squad such as Exeter’s Henry Slade and Sale’s mercurial play maker Danny Cipriani, it is an opportunity to show why they should have a place when the squad faces the first cut.

With 10 of the players selected to face the Barbarians already in Lancaster’s World Cup plans, for the other 14 they have one final chance to show why they should be in his mind a chance to sneak their way into the squad.

The chances, however, of moving from the England XV into the England World Cup training squad for those not already there are slim. But two players in particular have shown throughout the Premiership season that they should be on the England radar, and for them the dry, sunny conditions combined with the free running affair of a Baa Baas encounter could be the perfect opportunity.

Christian Wade is one player that many were outraged didn’t get a call up to the 50 man squad. The Wasps winger has lit up the Premiership, and can do things many cant. With 12 tries in 19 Premiership matches this season, his nose for the try line is unquestionable. An out and out finisher with the ability to side step players in the space of a phone box. Wade is simply electric and has the ability to tear open sides in a way few others in World Rugby can.

Despite this, it seems England look at selection in terms of what a player can’t do rather than what they can. Yes, questions remain over his defence, and in the size and power dominated world of International Rugby a 5’8’’ and 13st Wade would struggle against a 6’3’’ 16st Julian Savea.

What Wade lacks for in size he makes up for in spades through his acceleration, pace and dazzling footwork. The game versus the Barbarians gives Wade a last chance to show what he has done week in week out for Wasps, a player who can get bums on seats and quickly off them again with his exciting style of rugby. A last chance to force Lancaster to pick him.

The other player I would like to highlight is one who has quietly built a reputation as one of the league’s best finishers this season. Since the departure of Marland Yarde, also named in the England XV, from London Irish to Harlequins, Alex Lewington has seized the chance to be the Exiles’ go to scorer.

Also with 12 Premiership tries to his name this season, Lewington fits the mould of an international winger more so than his Wasps rival. Taller, stronger and more powerful Lewington has shone this season, showing his power but also pace and footwork. Hat-tricks versus Saracens and London Welsh and a brace versus Sale saw Lewington gain many supporters, and his form has been rewarded by Lancaster.

At the start of the season, pulling on the white shirt may have seen a season or two off yet for Lewington, but having cemented his place for the Exiles, playing in all but two of their Premiership games, Lewington has quickly risen through the ranks to be one of the Premiership’s top wingers and most certainly on the England radar.

Barbarians matches are always a great spectacle, players throwing off the shackles and playing with flair and trying things usually reserved for kick about at the park. In the summer sun and on the wide Twickenham pitch we will all be hoping for an expansive, open game of rugby and a chance to see legends of the game go toe to toe with some of England’s brightest young talents.

The chances of Wade and Lewington forcing a place into the World Cup squad are slim, but a strong performance combined with the gruelling nature of a rigorous and ruthless World Cup build up and the tournament itself could be enough. This game is a chance to force their way into Lancaster’s mind, and maybe even onto his team sheet.