Rugby
ESPN staff 9y

Tait returns for England against Barbarians

Leicester fullback Mathew Tait will play his first match for England since 2010 when he runs out against the Barbarians on Sunday at Twickenham. The Baabaas will head into the match buoyed by their narrow win over Ireland on Thursday and Tait features in a matchday squad that includes 10 players who made the final 50-man World Cup training squad.

Joe Launchbury and Ed Slater make their return to the England fold having missed the international season due to injury while Elliot Daly and Henry Slade are paired in the midfield with Danny Cipriani partnering captain Lee Dickson at half-back.

"We've had a short but very good week in camp and the players have worked hard," England coach Stuart Lancaster said. "I've been extremely happy with the way they have gone about their training and prep off the field. This is an exciting group of players who will be eager to impress in an England shirt with a number of guys having one eye on the World Cup in September.

"We know the Barbarians have a large number of experienced international guys and they will be ready for us having played Ireland last night. We are expecting a tough encounter."

England XV to play Barbarians

Mathew Tait (Leicester Tigers), Christian Wade (Wasps), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Marland Yarde Harlequins), Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints, capt) ; Matt Mullan (Wasps), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons), Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks)

Replacements: Tommy Taylor (Sale Sharks), Alex Waller (Northampton Saints), Gareth Denman (Northampton Saints), James Gaskell (Wasps), Jon Fisher (Northampton Saints), Will Chudley (Exeter Chiefs), Shane Geraghty (London Irish), Alex Lewington (London Irish)

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