This time last year we were in the midst of a Lions tour enjoying two Lions' matches a week and loving every minute. 12 months on we now have another double week to enjoy with England's first and only midweek match of this Summer Tour being played tomorrow against the Crusaders.
England's touring party has been large in number, I believe over 40 in total, and whilst some may think that this is too many, personally I disagree. Stuart is of the firm belief that until he, and his team, get their hands on the players they don't really know them and this Summer will have provided a lot of vital contact time. A World Cup is not won by fifteen or even twenty three players, it is won by a squad and a squad that is filled with depth and fierce competition for places. This competition and depth is exactly what England are building right now and it is why fixtures like 'The Tuesday Test' are vital.
At the AMI Stadium England will be led out by Ed Slater, the Leicester Tigers' man that has come into his own this season both as a player and a Captain. When Richard Cockerill first announced him as his match-day Captain some had their doubts, however on the pitch Ed has quickly silenced them and proved to be an inspirational leader. Ed is focused sighting this match as a 'chance to lift the siprit in the squad' and saying that every player is 'desparate to get out there and play'. His Second Row partner is Dave Atwood, a man that many feel should be starting in the Tests let alone this midweek match and I expect him to have colossal game, the type of game that says 'Hi Stuart remember me, I have what it takes'. The front three of Alex Waller, Joe Gray and Henry Thomas should put together one hell of a set piece and with back row that has a point to prove, Haskell, Kvesic and Johnson, England are showcasing a pleasing amount of depth up front and should dominate the game physically.
Shifting our focus to the backs we have a mighty fine looking 15 to 9, let me remind you of it now; Alex Goode, Ben Foden, Henry Trinder, Brad Barritt, Anthony Watson, Danny Cipriani and Lee Dickson. Every single back has the talent and capability to single handedly change a game and win a match for their team. The battle for the Full Back shirt is one of the most competitive of all, Alex Goode starts ahead of Ben Foden who is shifted out to the wing and Chris Pennell warms the bench. Whilst it isn't his natural positon, at this level Ben Foden shouldn't be exposed on the wing and I say that with respect to he Crusaders, against the All Blacks it would be another matter entirely!! The combination of Henry Trinder and Brad Barritt will be an interesting one to watch and Barritt's inclusion sparks the distinct possibility that he won't be involved in the Third Test. On the other wing we have Anthony Watson, he man who makes rugby look effortless!! Anthony's eye for space and ability to capitlise on it is stunning to watch and with Dickson and Cipriani dictating things from the half backs England's back line has the ability to expose even the best of defenses with ease.
The excitement surrounding this midweek squad does not finish with the fifteen shirt and eight prolific players will be anxiously waiting on the bench, all hoping that they are given a chance to show what they can do. Ward, Catt, Sinckler, Paterson, Wigglesworth, Myler, May and Pennell are the eight and personally I hope that they are all given a decent amount of time on the pitch... ringing the changes on fifty minutes would be the sensible and I believe fair thing to do to see what they can bring to the White Shirt of England.
This mid week fixture is a huge opportunity for every single member of this match-day twenty three and of course for the starting XV in particular. It must have been extremely difficult to watch others head out and perform for their country whilst you have been training hard without an opportunity to showcase your worth. The question has already been raised as to whether there should have been more mid-week fixtures? For what it is worth I think that perhaps one more would have been a good idea, as no matter how intense your training is, you cannot replicate the emotions of a match day wearing the White Shirt of England. Tomorrow morning Ed Slater will lead out twenty three fired up Englishmen, no-one needs to remind them about the magnitude of this opportunity, with the intense competition for places chances like this one must be taken and they must be taken well.
