Fringe players may get chance in summer
ENGLAND will play two Test matches against USA and Canada at Twickenham this summer.
They will host USA on Sunday July 4, then Canada the following week on Saturday July 10.
Before the two Tests, an England A side will face Scotland A at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Leicester on June 27.
In the absence of England’s 11 Lions players, there could be a chance for some Gloucester players to get a runout in these games - the likes of Jonny May, Ruan Ackermann, Lewis Ludlow, Jack Clement and Jack Singleton for instance.
For the first time since England beat France in the Autumn Nations Cup Final in December 2020, supporters will be able to attend England matches.
It is expected that at least 10,000 supporters will be able to attend each match at Twickenham Stadium, and 6,000 at Welford Road, with the potential to increase these numbers if government guidelines allow in the coming weeks.
With 11 English players in the Lions squad, head coach Eddie Jones will have the opportunity to select a different squad.
He said: “The summer series will give us the chance to look at a lot of players and see how they step up, and it’s an important part of our World Cup preparation.
“For younger players, it’s a chance to show what they can do at international level and how they are in the team environment.
“There aren’t too many opportunities to lead at international level, so for the more experienced players it’s a chance to take further leadership roles and grow their game in that area.”
Meanwhile Wales will play three summer tests in Cardiff this July.
Wayne Pivac’s side will face Canada (July 3) and back-to-back games against Argentina (July 10 and 17) at the Principality Stadium.
These tests replace the scheduled summer tour to Argentina which has had to be cancelled due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty around travel restrictions.
The Pumas will now travel to Cardiff for two tests against the Six Nations Champions.
Wales will kick off their summer campaign against Canada, who are coached by former Gloucester and Wales captain Kingsley Jones along with Rob Howley, and will visit Cardiff for the first time since 2008.