Lancaster ponders England changes (From The Argus)

Lancaster ponders England changes

7:08pm Monday 11th June 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2013

England head coach Stuart Lancaster has told his fringe players there is still plenty of time to break into the side to face South Africa.

Lancaster already has a good idea how he wants England to line up in Saturday's second Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg despite injuries to Mike Brown and Brad Barritt forcing changes among the backs.

"We are close to being final for Saturday but there are definitely one or two players we are looking at with a view to potentially coming in, although more likely on the bench than starting," said Lancaster. "And equally, we have got the third Test and another game as well, so there is plenty to play for for all the players."

He went on: "It is certainly a game they are all looking forward to.

"For me it is about building a squad. There is nothing better as a coach than working with players on the training field or judging them and working with them at games, seeing their reaction at full-time or half-time and playing in different environments.

"Wednesday is going to be a different environment for all the players, playing the Southern Barbarians.

"It is an opportunity for them to put markers down as players and as a team.

"Obviously we were disappointed to lose on Saturday so we want to get the tour back on track with a win on Wednesday."

Lancaster has chosen an entirely different starting XV from the one which began the 22-17 first Test loss in Durban on Saturday.

Flanker James Haskell, who has not played for England since last year's ill-fated World Cup campaign, and scrum-half Danny Care, omitted during the Six Nations over off-field matters, have a chance to reignite their international careers.