Clarke to lead England

Ben Clarke leads England in their first South African tour match

North-West Districts v England, Olen Park, Potchefstroom, Tuesday, 16:10 GMT

Ben Clarke will captain an England side containing eight new caps in Tuesday's South African tour opener against North-West Districts.

Liam Botham, son of England cricket legend Ian, will wear an England shirt for the first time and is joined by the uncapped centres Leon Lloyd and Ben Johnston, fly-half Ali Hepher, scrum-half Martyn Wood, flanker Paul Volley, lock Steve Borthwick and loosehead prop David Flatman.

Bath back-row forward Clarke, a late replacement to act as injury cover for Leicester pair Neil Back and Martin Corry, is among five capped players in the pack.

Hooker Phil Greening, lock Simon Shaw, prop Darren Garforth and loose forward Joe Worsley will be looking to impress England manager Clive Woodward and new head coach Andy Robinson ahead of next Saturday's first Test against South Africa in Pretoria.

Dan Luger wears the England jersey for the first time since his return from a seven-month injury lay-off in a backline which boasts only one other capped player, fullback Tim Stimpson.

Liam Botham makes his England debut

Botham said he would be nervous before the match but hoped to use some experience gained on an Under-21 tour of South Africa.

"I'm out here to do a job, and it won't be easy on Tuesday against a very strong and physical side," said the Newcastle wing.

"I learnt a lot from being part of the England Under-21 squad that toured South Africa two years ago, even though we lost all our games.

"I am sure that I'm going to get nervous - you do before any game. There will be a few butterflies in my stomach, but that is what it's all about."

Starting again

Botham's fellow wingr Luger admits that he is effectively starting again in an England jersey.

"I didn't expect to play again this season, so coming on this tour is a bonus for me," said the Saracens flier.

"I was hoping that I would be picked for this first game - I will be going out there, trying to prove myself."

The 41-man England squad arrived in South Africa three days ago, but injuries have already taken a toll.

Injuries

Gloucester prop Trevor Woodman will fly home after suffering a neck injury in training.

Leicester's Graham Rowntree flies out on Sunday as a replacement and could be on the bench on Tuesday.

Leicester centre Will Greenwood (calf), Corry (shoulder) and Leeds scrum-half Scott Benton (calf) were also not considered for Tuesday's game.

There is tremendous competition for places in the backs, and it will be interesting to see how these guys get on

Clive Woodward

Woodward warned his side not to expect an easy ride against the side formerly known as Western Transvaal.

"From what we've seen, they look a good side - it will be a very demanding test," he said.

"But this is a big chance for people like Ben Johnston and Leon Lloyd. Liam Botham, too, is in the same boat after being picked for the tour on merit.

"There is tremendous competition for places in the backs, and it will be interesting to see how these guys get on."

Meanwhile, uncapped Saracens scrum-half Nick Walshe has been called into the England squad as cover for injured Leeds captain Scott Benton.

Benton has a calf-strain, although it is not considered serious enough to send him home.

Teams

England:
T Stimpson (Leicester); D Luger (Saracens), L Lloyd (Leicester), B Johnston (Saracens), L Botham (Newcastle); A Hepher (Northampton), M Wood (Wasps); D Flatman (Saracens), P Greening (Wasps), D Garforth (Leicester), S Borthwick (Bath), S Shaw (Wasps), B Clarke (Bath, cpt), P Volley (Wasps), J Worsley (Wasps). Replacements: To be announced later.

North-West Districts: A de Jager; L van Riet, J Calitz, R Muller, K Meyer; R de Marigny, E Verster; H Human, B de Coning (capt), T Hendriks, C Oosthuizen, W Lessing, D Kruger, B Pool, J Smith.
Replacements: W Jonker, S Goosen, I Noble, B Volschenk, W Stoltz, S Hendriks, H Pieterse.