Ben Clarke and Mark Regan, the discarded England forwards, will take the opportunity to state a strong case for a Test recall in tonight's A international against the All Blacks at Leicester. England coach Clive Woodward, who announces his side for Saturday's Twickenham meeting with the All Blacks tomorrow, will update his assessment of a number of players whose form has put them in line for an international comeback.
The loss of Mike Catt with concussion means Northampton's Paul Grayson is virtually certain to take his place as the England out-half; hence his absence from tonight's line-up. Richard Butland, the A team's out-half, will be aiming at breaking into the match squad of 21 for the first time as bench replacement.
The 29-year-old Clarke, who last played for England 21 months ago in the Five Nations match with Ireland, is eager to get back into the Test frame after losing a full season of international rugby while playing in the Second Division with Richmond. The 6ft 5in number eight, who won the first of his 28 caps five years ago, could be drafted in by Woodward to replace the out-of-position Richard Hill, though Chris Sheasby is also a contender for the number eight.
Clarke, who built his Test career with Bath, has valuable positive experience of the All Blacks, having been the outstanding Lions forward in the 1993 tour to New Zealand. His versatility - he can also play at number seven - and his ability to win ball at the tail of the line-out and get across the gain-line swiftly should commend itself to the dynamic style England have been trying to develop in recent weeks.
Regan, the Bath hooker, who won his 13th England cap against Australia last July, could be promoted from the bench to the Test line-up if the selectors decide to rest Richard Cockerill after an indifferent performance in the 29-11 defeat by South Africa. Regan's excellent scrummaging against Southern Hemisphere sides in the past two years may cut more ice with Woodward now that England face the dismal prospect of four successive Tests without a win.
Meanwhile, South Africa have made one change from the team that defeated England for Saturday's clash with Scotland at Murrayfield. Fit-again Johan Erasmus replaces Andrew Aitken at blindside flanker, with the former Watsonians man dropping to the bench in place of Bobby Skinstad.
Bad news for Scotland is that Doddie Weir, who has been troubled by a back problem, will not be fit for the match. However, former skipper Rob Wainwright has been listed in the Scots' 26-man squad and looks set to replace the unfortunate Adam Roxburgh - concussed against the Wallabies - after playing his first game in a month for his club Dundee HSFP Hawks on Saturday.
But doubts remain over two more Lions - Alan Tait and Gregor Townsend - with Newcastle centre Tait given only a 50-50 chance of recovering from a hamstring pull sustained during training last week.
Niall Hogan and Kevin Spicer have been selected on the Oxford team to play Cambridge in the 116th Varsity match at Twickenham this day week.
