Rugby: Hape eyes England debut down under

Shontayne Hape is set to become the third Kiwis league international to play for England. Photo / Getty Images

LONDON - Former Kiwis league winger Shontayne Hape could be in line for an England test rugby debut after his naming in coach Martin Johnson's 44-man squad to tour Australia and New Zealand.

Hape, who played 14 tests for the Kiwis, was included in England's Six Nations squad of 32 earlier this year but wasn't required on match day.

He has been on England's radar since moving to Bath from Super League club Bradford Bulls in 2008, having qualified on residency grounds.

If selected, Hape would become the third former Kiwis league international to play rugby for England after Henry Paul and Lesley Vainikolo.

Hooker Dylan Hartley is the other New Zealand-born player in the squad, while former Hurricanes midfielder Riki Flutey was ruled out of the tour due to injury, as was captain Steve Borthwick.

Hape was one of nine uncapped players named by Johnson for two tests against the Wallabies next month, as well as two matches against Australian Barbarians and one against New Zealand Maori in Napier on June 23.

Olly Barkley, who has not played for the national side since 2008, was recalled, while uncapped South African-born flanker Hendrie Fourie, who qualifies for England through a five-year residency, was also included.

Prop and former captain Phil Vickery has been given a break after recovering from long-term shoulder and neck problems.

"This tour starts the buildup to the 2011 World Cup and some selections are indicative of that," Johnson said.

"It will be tough in Australia, on and off the field. When do they ever not fancy knocking England over? But that's the fun. It's a great place to play."

Johnson has delayed a decision on the captaincy until after this weekend's Premiership semifinals. Lewis Moody could deputise as captain again after leading England in their last match, against France in the Six Nations.

Bath prop Dave Flatman, Sale first five-eighths Charlie Hodgson and Harlequins winger Dave Strettle have also earned recalls, but halfback Paul Hodgson has been relegated to the backup Saxons squad to play Churchill Cup matches in the United States in June.

A Wasps contingent of Dan Ward-Smith, Rob Webber, Joe Simpson and Dominic Waldouck are the part of the group of nine who have never been capped, along with Fourie, David Attwood, Jon Goulding, Geoff Parling and Hape.

After a promising run of games for new side Toulon, 31-year-old Jonny Wilkinson has been included in Johnson's squad 12 years after he made his first international start as England lost 76-0 to Australia in their biggest ever defeat.

Winger Dave Strettle, who will shortly join Saracens, has earned a recall along with Gloucester prop Paul Doran-Jones.

Danny Cipriani, a highly rated but inconsistent first five-eighth, was not considered because he is about to move to the Melbourne Rebels in the expanded Super rugby competition. He has also been ruled of the Barbarians' games against England and Ireland because of a thumb injury.

England squad

Forwards: Steffon Armitage, David Atwood, Dan Cole, Tom Croft, Paul Doran-Jones, Nick Easter, David Flatman, Hendre Fourie, Jon Golding, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell, Courtney Lawes, Lee Mears, Lewis Moody, Tom Palmer, Geoff Parling, Tim Payne, Chris Robshaw, Simon Shaw, Steve Thompson, Dan Ward-Smith, Rob Webber, Dave Wilson, Joe Worsley.

Backs: Delon Armitage, Chris Ashton, Matt Banahan, Olly Barkley, Danny Care, Mark Cueto, Toby Flood, Ben Foden, Shane Geraghty, Shontayne Hape, Charlie Hodgson, Ugo Monye, Joe Simpson, David Strettle, Mathew Tait, Mike Tindall, Dominic Waldouck, Richard Wigglesworth, Jonny Wilkinson, Ben Youngs.

- AP