Stuart Lancaster has his eye on Wasps for summer

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9 April 2013

England coach Stuart Lancaster has dropped the biggest hint yet that he will include a strong contingent of young London Wasps players in this summer’s tour of Argentina.

James Haskell and Joe Launchbury were the only men from the club to feature for England in the Six Nations but Lancaster will blood new talent when Warren Gatland takes his pick of the bunch for the Lions.

Elliot Daly and Billy Vunipola are favourites for selection having been on the fringes during the Six Nations but Lancaster has suggested he will look beyond the obvious candidates.

The coach, who saw Wasps lose 48‑28 to Leinster in the Amlin Challenge Cup on Friday, said: “I thought Elliot did well at full-back as well as Billy Vunipola, Joe Launchbury and Tom Lindsay; there are lots of players here who are all there or thereabouts for the summer tour.

“From an England point of view it’s very exciting because we know these guys are not just going to be around for the next six months, but the next six years and beyond.”

Lindsay is uncapped but the bullish hooker has had an imposing season and could get a chance if Dylan Hartley or Tom Youngs are named in Gatland’s squad to tour Australia.

Dan Cole is another front-row forward expected to be on Lions duty. Lancaster offered unprompted praise for fellow tight‑head prop, Phil Swainston, and the 23-year-old could get a chance in Cole’s absence if he continues to catch the England coach’s attention.

“It’s pleasing for me to see Phil Swainston playing well at this level,” said Lancaster. “He’s a lad who started with me at Leeds Academy and to come through and play at this level is a great reward for his efforts.”

Although Vunipola only has a matter of weeks before he joins Saracens, the back-row has been one of Wasps’ star performers this season.

England were criticised throughout the Six Nations for lacking a powerful No8 and the 20-year-old has been touted as the solution to England’s problem-position.

“In terms of a ball-carrying No8, Billy ticks all the boxes,” said Lancaster. “He was unfortunate not to get his opportunity against France. I told him he was selected and he twisted his ankle in training so it was disappointing for him to miss out.”

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Stuart Lancaster has his eye on Wasps for summer

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