Opportunity knocks for new faces, says boss

ENGLAND head coach Steve Borthwick wants “as many England players as possible” involved with the Lions as he prepares an unfamiliar line-up to face France at Twickenham tomorrow.

- By ROBERT O'CONNOR

There are five uncapped names in an experimental England squad, three of whom are set to start the match, with 14 players currently in Dublin with Andy Farrell's side for tonight's game against Argentina following Jack van Poortvliet’s call-up this week.

Among those playing from the start in west London will be Gloucester centre Seb Atkinson, selected after an impressive year in what was only a second professional season at Kingsholm for the 23-year-old, during which he ranked top in carries, tackles and passes among centres in the Premiership.

With this summer's tour of Argentina and the United States overlapping with the Lions’ time in Australia, Borthwick is looking forward to experimenting with his side beyond tomorrow's non-cap international.