All Blacks front up for English Invasion

The International Rugby season will kick off this weekend with the biggest teams from the Northern hemisphere England, Wales, France, and Ireland  travelling south to take on the likes of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina in three match test series.

The biggest series of which being the mighty All Blacks coming off an unprecedented 14 of 14 wins in 2013 playing host to the travelling English who will be hoping upset the top seeds and climb in the rankings.

The All Blacks are obviously the favorites going in, having not lost to England at home since 2003 when Martin Johnson’s England team built their platform for the World cup on the backs of the All Blacks. The two teams have had ferocious games in the last two seasons with England winning at Twickenham in 2012 and the All Blacks getting payback a year later in 2013. The touring England squad will be led by open side flanker Chris Robshaw whilst the World Champions will be led by his opposite number Richie McCaw.

New Zealand are going into the three game series without a few key players. The most notable of which being the first choice five eight Dan Carter. The Blacks will also go into the first test without the 2013 IRB player of the year Kieran Read. Flanker Sam Cane has also been ruled out for the rest of June whilst winger Julian Savea is still in doubt for game one with a knee injury.

The injuries have given All Blacks coach Steve Hansen a chance to display the immense depth in the New Zealand ranks. Every one of the players ruled out will be replaced by equally threatening youngsters. Aaron Cruden who has proven an exceptional understudy to Dan Carter will have a chance to show his metal as he will most likely don the number 10 Jersey. Both Colin Slade and Beaden Barrett who have also shown great prowess in the super rugby season so far as well as the black jersey in the past will give Cruden a good run for number 10. In the mid-field Ryan Crotty and debutant Malakai Fekitoa will be hot on the heels of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith for starting slots over the three tests. In the back three with Savea’s injury Cory Jane, Ben Smith and Israel Dagg will most likely take starting roles with Savea coming back into contention later in the series. Aaron Smith is tipped to take the number 09 slot with Tawera Kerr Barlow and TJ Perenara both hoping for chances to prove themselves.

Upfront Hansen is once again spoiled for choice with Tony Woodcock and Owen Franks most likely starting as the props with Keven Mealamu stepping in at hooker. This combination will give the All Blacks a combined 280 caps in the front row alone. Sam Whitelock and Broadie Rettalick will likely be the first choice locks. Add Liam Messam, Richie McCaw and Jerome Kaino to the third row and the All Blacks will have a combined 450 plus caps in the pack. The squad also includes Dane Coles, Ben Franks, Wyatt Crocket, Charlie Faumuina, Dominic Bird, Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Matt Todd and debutant Patrick Tuipulotu.

England Coach Stuart Lancaster may not have as many experienced campaigners and in counterpart but he has accumulated a massive squad of 47 youngsters eager to prove their worth. The England squad consists of six Lions players from the 2013 Lions squad which won in Australia. The lions in the squad are Geoff Parling, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi, Brad Barritt and Billy Twelvetrees.

The front row picks itself for Stuart Lancaster with Rob Webber, who has overcome a knee problem, packing down alongside Joe Marler and David Wilson along with Joe Launchbury and Geoff Parling making up the tight five. Lancaster has numerous choices in the third row with James Haskell and Chris Robshaw on the flanks with Billy Vunipola and Ben Morgan competing for the Number 8 spot. At nine Lancaster will have to choose between Lee Dickson, Ben Youngs and Danny Care who have all had excellent domestic seasons. With Owen Farrel, Stephen Myler and George Ford ruled out for the first test Freddie Burns is likely to get the nod over the returning Danny Cipriani. Manu Tuilagi and Kyle Eastmond are likely to take up the mid-field with Twelvetrees ruled out for the first test. Marland Yarde and Jonny May will likely take the wings with Mike Brown at fullback.

England’s centre Manu Tuilagi (C) breaks a tackle from New Zealand All Blacks’ flanker Richie McCaw (R) during the international rugby union match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium

England tour of New Zealand

France tour of Australia

Wales tour of South Africa

Ireland tour of Argentina

Representative Matches