England name three uncapped players in squad for autumn internationals
Added: (Mon Nov 02 2009)
• David Barnes, Richard Blaze and Courtney Lawes get call-ups
• Martin Johnson praises England's strength in depth
The England team manager, Martin Johnson, has named three new faces in a 32-man squad. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images
Three uncapped players have been named in the England squad for next month's internationals against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand.
The Bath prop David Barnes, Leicester's Richard Blaze and Northampton's Courtney Lawes are included in Martin Johnson's 32-man squad for the trio of games. A plethora of injuries also means call-ups for Duncan Bell, Ben Foden, Shane Geraghty, Andy Goode, Lewis Moody, David Strettle, Steve Thompson and Richard Wigglesworth.
"We've had to make a number of changes to the squad because of injuries but we have strength in depth," said Johnson. "Each of the players coming in has the opportunity to push themselves into contention for the match against Australia on 7 November."
Steve Borthwick retains the captaincy. "Steve has been appointed captain and I'm sure he will continue to do an excellent job," said Johnson.
England squad for the autumn internationals
Forwards: S Armitage (London Irish), D Barnes (Bath), D Bell (Bath), R Blaze (Leicester), S Borthwick (Saracens, captain), G Chuter (Leicester), J Crane (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), L Deacon (Leicester), D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell (Stade Français), B Kay (Leicester), C Lawes (Northampton), L Moody (Leicester), T Payne (Wasps), S Thompson (Brive), D Wilson (Bath), J Worsley (Wasps).
Backs: M Banahan (Bath), D Care (Harlequins), M Cueto (Sale), B Foden (Northampton), S Geraghty (Northampton), A Goode (Brive), D Hipkiss (Leicester), P Hodgson (London Irish), U Monye (Harlequins), D Strettle (Harlequins), M Tait (Sale), M Tindall (Gloucester) R Wigglesworth (Sale), J Wilkinson (Toulon).
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