Johnson names six uncapped players to tour New Zealand

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LONDON (Reuters) - New England manager Martin Johnson named six uncapped players in a 32-man squad on Tuesday for next month’s two-test tour of New Zealand, his first selection since taking over from former coach Brian Ashton.

The London Irish trio of Nick Kennedy, David Paice and Topsy Ojo were included for the first time alongside Harlequins scrumhalf Danny Care, Bristol prop Jason Hobson and hooker Dylan Hartley of Northampton.

Lock Steve Borthwick will captain the side in the absence of the injured prop Phil Vickery, who is recovering from a knee injury. Flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson also misses out with shoulder problems.

Johnson’s contract does not begin until July 1 and while he remains in England with his pregnant wife, the Rugby Football Union’s Elite Rugby director Rob Andrew will oversee the tests in Auckland on June 14 and Christchurch on June 21.

Squad:

Backs: Mike Brown, Paul Sackey, David Strettle, Topsy Ojo, Mathew Tait, Mike Tindall, Jamie Noon, Toby Flood, Olly Barkley, Danny Cipriani, Charlie Hodgson, Richard Wigglesworth, Peter Richards, Danny Care

Forwards: Matt Stevens, Andrew Sheridan, Tim Payne, Jason Hobson, Lee Mears, Dylan Hartley, David Paice, Nick Kennedy, Steve Borthwick (captain), Ben Kay, Tom Palmer, Tom Croft, James Haskell, Joe Worsley, Michael Lipman, Tom Rees, Nick Easter, Luke Narraway

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