England's Rugby Tour of Australia and New Zealand

In the week leading up to the beginning of the England Summer Tour of Australia and New Zealand I will be discussing team selection, tactics, recent history and clashes to look out for.

Each week there will be predictions and updates for the coming tests as well as a brief match report from the previous test.

The Calender for the Summer Tour looks like this:

30th May 2010 - England vs The Barbarians

8th June 2010 - England vs Australian Barbarians

12th June 2010 - England vs Australia

15th June 2010 - England vs Australian Barbarians

19th June 2010 - England vs Australia

23rd June 2010 - England vs NZ Maoris

27 May 2010 - After Martin Johnson announced an experimental side to play the Barbarians I welcome thoughts on how this match will play out and how certain players will influence the game and push for regular 1st team places.

Starting with the Backs, at the very back is Ben Foden, the very much under used utility sub who showed great potential in the 6 Nations game with France. The battle for the number 15 shirt will be great to watch with Delon Armitage pushing hard as always. If neither of these players perform then veteran Mark Cueto can step in and bring some stability to the role.

David Strettle makes his first start since 2008 and he could push for a first team place with his electric speed and agility. Unfortunately for Strettle he has to compete with British and Irish Lion Ugo Monye who has proved he has all the credentials for a very potent winger in attack and defense and after being omitted from this game you have to come to the conclusion that he is being rested for the Australia Tests.

In the centres a new face for English rugby in the form of Shontayne Hape, I have been looking forward to seeing him in an England shirt ever since he was included in the 6 Nations EPS. However he didn't do enough to gain a place in the starting line up and when he was lined up on the bench he came down with a stomach bug. He is not a like for like swap for the injured Riki Flutey, he is more physical and even though he doesn't have Flutey's speed, I would not want to get in the way when he reaches top speed. I think the England midfield will be a very tough nut to crack with Hape and Tindall forming a great defensive team, both with the size and power any manager would want. I do believe however that there will be a lack of flair and Charlie Hodgson who starts for the first time since 2008 will have to be very creative to show he has the potential to challenge for the number 10 shirt which at the moment looks to belong to Toby Flood with Wilkinson on the bench.

The forwards shape up on paper to be rather inexperienced, especially the front row and it will be interesting to watch the battle with the very experienced Front Row of the Barbarians. The Second Row, without Steve Borthwick will be looking to Tom Palmer for consistent lineout ball. The England back row will be very important at the tackle area and will have their hands full with Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush and Rodney So'oialo. James Haskell will really have to step up to the plate as I see him as playing as a dynamic number 8 when the Australia Tests come around, knowing that Tom Croft is almost certain of a place alongside Captain Lewis Moody at 6 and 7 respectively.

An inclusion I feel is well justified is Olly Barkley, he can cover number 10 and play well at 12, his kicking ability can also be utilised when he is brought on to move the Barbarians back 3 around in the same way Matt Tait will do with his great speed and scintillating breaks.

All in all I envisage a rough encounter for the England pack and I hope a bruising display by the England centre pairing, making space for the rapid back 3. If Danny Care can get quick from from the rucks and get the likes of Tom Croft catching the Baa Baa's on the back foot then they will most definitely break through the line and give the crowd the exciting running rugby they long to see. One thing I hope not to see is endless kicking ping pong as this really does ruin games and frustrates the crowd.

I think England will win but not without a fight and not by much. The teams are below:

The England side to face the Barbarians:

15 Ben Foden

14 Mark Cueto

13 Mike Tindall

12 Shontayne Hape

11 David Strettle

10 Charlie Hodgson

9 Danny Care

8 Nick Easter (C)

7 Steffon Armitage

6 James Haskell