Maori on the menu for England

[AndyS]

England, who will face all three powerhouse Tri-Nations sides and Samoa on consecutive weekends in November and December of this year, seem set to play the New Zealand Maori in June this year.

The New Zealand Herald reports that England will play two tests against Australia in June and will also meet the Western Force, Australia A and New Zealand Maori.

The New Zealand Rugby Union say the matches are not confirmed, but according to the newspaper reports out of England maintain a game will take place.

The New Zealand Maori last played in 2008, when they beat Japan, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Australia A to win the Pacific Nations Cup....Rest

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Tri-Nations test ahead for England

England will face all three powerhouse Tri-Nations sides and Samoa on consecutive weekends in November and December of this year, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced on Friday.

England will kick-off the series against Australia on November 13 and Samoa will make their first appearance at Twickenham since 2005 the following week.

World champions South Africa are third in line and the series will conclude with a match against the All Blacks on December 4.

Fixtures:

Nov 13: England v Australia (14:30 GMT)
Nov 20: England v Samoa (14:30 GMT)
Nov 27: England v South Africa (14:30 GMT)
Dec 4: England v New Zealand (14:30 GMT)

http://www.rugby365.com/all_news/nbc...ws/2181290.htm

[Burgs]

Word is they are sending a 70 man squad to cover the injuries...

[bunter]

50 players - 20 management