Mullan handed England starting spot (From Worcester News)

Mullan handed England starting spot

3:41pm Monday 11th June 2012 in Warriors By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

WARRIORS prop Matt Mullan has been handed a starting shirt for England’s tour match against the South Africa Southern Barbarians in Kimberley tomorrow.

The Sixways loosehead has been named alongside Harlequins hooker Joe Gray and Northampton Saints tighthead Paul Doran Jones in a new-look front row, while former Worcester man Graham Kitchener (Leicester) will partner captain George Robson (Quins) in the second row.

The starting line-up is completely changed from the one that suffered a 22-17 defeat to the Springboks in the first Test in Durban on Saturday.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “Every one of the 22 is desperate to play. They have trained superbly and their attitude while waiting for their chance has been first-class.

“There is a lot of competition for places across the board and this game gives these players a chance to lay down a marker and for the whole squad to build some momentum towards Saturday’s second Test.”

England: Goode; Strettle (both Saracens), Allen (Leicester), Turner-Hall (Harlequins), Wade (Wasps); Hodgson (Saracens), Care (Harlequins); Mullan (Worcester), Gray (Harlequins), Doran Jones (Northampton Saints), Kitchener (Leicester), Robson (capt, Harlequins), Haskell (Otago Highlanders), Fearns (Bath), Waldrom (Leicester).

Replacements: T Youngs (Leicester), Harden (Gloucester), Palmer (Stade Francais), Gibson (London Irish), Dickson (Northampton Saints), Lowe (Harlequins), Abendanon (Bath).