Deans: ‘England missed trick’

ROBBIE Deans insists England missed a chance to test players against New Zealand by preventing them from representing the Barbarians.

James Haskell, Semesa Rokoduguni, Kyle Sinckler and Jonathan Joseph are understood to have been among a contingent of Eddie Jones’ stars who were approached to take part in the match at Twickenham.

Many initially agreed only for interest to wane amid pressure from injury-hit clubs or circumstances to change, such as Sinckler’s seven-week ban for gouging.

England face New Zealand at Twickenham next autumn in a long-awaited clash between the world’s top two.

And Deans believes that, by playing for the Barbarians, some of their Red Rose stars could have gained valuable exposure to the All Blacks.

Jones’ has been overseeing a warm-weather training camp in Portugal this week ahead of the autumn series, but Deans believes there are some who could have been given the green light to face Steve Hansen’s men.

“It’s a great shame for those England players and it was a great opportunity for them to experience the level,” said Bar-bars coach Deans, whose team lost 31-22.

“So it’s been an opportunity missed because some of those 23 could have had a taste of this.

“They were all pretty much positive early on, but when it comes down to it they get into the season, injuries pick up and internationals loom, things can change.

“A player is always going to listen to his international coach in this circumstance, but to a man they all wanted to play.”