England Test places will be up for grabs when the oddly named English Rugby Partnership XV meet the All Blacks at Ashton Gate in Bristol tonight. Clive Woodward, the England coach, will see how the game goes before announcing his line-up for Saturday's international against South Africa after training at Roehampton tomorrow.
The one-match ban imposed on Martin Johnson for punching Justin Marshall, the All Blacks' captain, has created a second-row vacancy that will probably be filled by Saracens' Danny Grewcock. But one of the Gloucester locks, Dave Sims and Rob Fidler, involved in tonight's game has the opportunity to force his way into the Test squad of 21 as a bench substitute.
The experienced Sims, who is captain, seems the most likely candidate given the indifferent form of Simon Shaw in England A's 59-22 defeat by New Zealand at Huddersfield a week ago. The Gloucester forward has been a consistent performer in A internationals and divisional games for the past four years.
If Tony Diprose, the Saracens' number eight, who was substituted by Neil Back because of injury, fails to keep his place in the England squad, the way could be open for Tim Rodber or Chris Sheasby to make an international return.
Rodber, who was a great success in last summer's Lions tour to South Africa, has recovered from a niggling shoulder injury which undermined his Northampton form. Sheasby, who won three caps last season, was one of the few forwards to finish in credit at Huddersfield.
The on-going debate over England's problem position, out-half, could well embrace Richard Butland, who gave way to Mike Catt in the Bath line-up after starting the season as first-choice number 10. The talented Butland, now on Bath's transfer list, has been paired at halfback with Wasps' Martyn Wood, who makes his first appearance at this level.
Richard Hill, the England A coach, has kept only four of last Tuesday's Emerging England lineup: John Bentley, Nick Greenstock, Matt Allen and the in-form Sheasby. Bentley, another Lions star, remains a credible contender for an England recall on the left wing though Adedayo Adebayo, who was substituted after an hour at Old Trafford, did make a powerful physical statement against the All Blacks.
Hill has, it seems, consciously chosen a tight five from the West Country. Hooker Mark Reagan is propped by Bath team-mate Kevin Yates and Gloucester's Phil Vickery.
Todd Blackadder, the All Blacks' captain tonight, is tipped to replace the injured Zinzan Brooke at number eight in Saturday's Test against Wales at Wembley. Aaron Hopa, a back-row forward, and Jim Stanley, a centre, make their first appearance in the tour.
