Gloucester's James Simpson-Daniel is looking forward to Saturday's clash between England and the Barbarians at Twickenham (Sat 28 May, kick off 3pm - game live on TV at Kingsholm clubhouse).
The young winger will be joined by Andy Gomarsall, who is vice captain, in the starting line-up. James Forrester starts from the bench alongside new signing Peter Richards.
Looking ahead to the Barbarians clash the 22 year-old winger said: "The Barbarians have a squad of 35 world-class players to select from and you can see from the starting line-up that they haven't pulled any punches. We respect any players involved with the Baa-Baas. They have great backs, an immense set of forwards and superb half-backs in Carlos Spencer and Mark Robinson."
Simpson-Daniel will see the fixture as a good chance to impress before the England squad travel to North America for the Churchill Cup, but is well aware that Saturday's game is the top priority.
"It's important that we stick together as a squad and it's going to take a huge collective effort. It's also vital that we don't get distracted by what's to come in Canada and the possibility of playing Argentina in the Churchill Cup final. We have a Test match to prepare for on Saturday."
The Gloucester wing has had a season disrupted by injury after knocks to both his hamstring and shoulder.
"It was a decent start and then I got two injuries in a row (hamstring and shoulder) so that was disappointing. I got back to fitness late in the season but by then things were going downhill for us at Gloucester. It's been a long hard season but this is our job and Joe Lydon and the management have deliberately tried to keep us off our feet once we have done what's required at training."
New Gloucester recruit Peter Richards will be hoping to come on as a replacement for Andy Gomarsall during the match, and will see his return to international selection as the next step before he joins up for pre-season at Kingsholm.
"I am very excited about Saturday. The Barbarians have a big back three (Brent Russell, Wendell Sailor and Bruce Reihana). Everybody knows about Reihana from Northampton and I am sure most people have seen Sailor play for Australia and know the danger he poses. There's also Carlos Spencer at No 10 who is a bit of a magician.
"But I'm also looking forward to seeing some of our guys perform on the big stage, especially Ayoola (Erinle) who has had a great season. It's going to be a massive challenge but I hoping that the unity we have as a squad will stand us in good stead. There are 25 or so guys who are desperate to impress in the England set-up and I am sure that will come through on Saturday and in the two games in Canada."
Richards is seen as a direct replacement at Gloucester for Worcester-bound Andy Gomarsall. But Gomarsall knows that Saturday gives him an opportunity to impress after missing out on international selection earlier in 2005.
"I have been looking forward massively to this game and the tour to Canada. This season has been a massive hole for me not being involved in the Six Nations so it has spurred me on more than ever to re-establish myself in the England fold. I am looking forward to getting out there and doing the talking on the pitch. Everybody is in the same boat - it's a great opportunity against a great Barbarians team.
"I was in the wilderness back in 2001 and I got the opportunity to play for the Barbarians against England and it got me back involved in the international set-up. The following year I was in the England team so this fixture has been very important to me in the past and it's much the same again."
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