WASPS centre Stuart Abbott will make his first appearance in an England shirt on Monday after he was named in a strong side to face the New Zealand Maori.
The South African-born star will line up inside Newcastle's Jamie Noon, who gets another opportunity to impress after his outstanding performance against the Barbarians less than a fortnight ago.
The match in New Plymouth will also signal the return to England action for Iain Balshaw, whose form dipped so dramatically after he burst onto the international scene with a flurry of tries in the 2001 Six Nations.
The Bath man will play at full-back in a side, to be captained by Gloucester's Phil Vickery, that also sees England 'A' flanker Andy Hazell make his first senior appearance.
England team to play the New Zealand Maori in New Plymouth on Monday, June 9 is: I Balshaw; D Luger, J Noon, S Abbott, J Simpson-Daniel; P Grayson, K Bracken; T Woodman, D West, P Vickery, S Shaw, S Borthwick, M Corry, A Hazell, J Worsley. Replacements: M Regan, M Worsley, T Palmer, P Volley, A Gomarsall, A King, B Johnston.
Updated: 11:21 Saturday, June 07, 2003
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