New faces for Baa-Baas test

So the sight we never thought we would see again has materialised, Charlie Hodgson is back for the Red Rose at fly-half.

In the absence of Toby Flood, the man who carries most of the hope at Edgeley Park returns to start for the first time since that doomed tour in 2008.

In a poor Sale side this season however he has been a standout performer, and there has been calls from the Northwest for well over a year for their man to be given another chance.

Now that chance has finally come, and he must prove himself along with half-back partner Danny Care.

He isn't the only one that is been given chance in this non cap outing though, with players from Leicester Tigers and the injured Jonny Wilkinson all missing out.

The Tigers of course will be gracing the Twickenham turf on Saturday in the Premiership final, so we will see many other new faces in the side.

Shontayne Hape, Jon Golding and Dave Attwood will make their first appearances for their country at centre, prop and lock.

One of these in particular though is very exciting, and that is Bath Rugby man Hape.

He was around the squad for the duration of this years Six Nations, and was perhaps unlucky not to be given a chance then.

Another exciting addition is Ben Foden continuing at full-back, where he performed so well when given chance in the Six Nations.

His running game is second to none, and he can no doubt be a very dangerous outlet for England.

More flair in the backs in provided by Saracens bound David Strettle, who is back for his country following a series of injury problems.

It is fantastic to see the Harlequins man competing at the top level again, and if he can reach his past level we could be set for an excting time.

One overwhelming theme throughout the startin 15 though is the mix of youth and experience throughout.

Only the backrow contains three fullly experienced individuals, in the shape of James Haskell, Steffon Armitage and Nick Easter.

Even without the Tigers plays this team on the outset seems relatively strong, so ahead of the summer tour Martin Johnson could certainly have a few headaches to deal with.

The team to play Barbarians in full:

Ben Foden, Mark Cueto, Mike Tindall, Shontayne Hape, David Strettle, Charlie Hodgson, Danny Care, Jon Golding, Steve Thompson, Paul Doran-Jones, Dave Attwood, Tom Palmer, James Haskell, Steffon Armitage, Nick Easter

Replacements:

Lee Mears, Tim Payne, Dan Ward-Smith, Joe Worsley, Joe Simpson, Olly Barkley, Matthew Tait.