England ring backline changes for second Test

England have made three personnel changes and two positional for a must-win second Test against South Africa at Ellis Park here tomorrow. Jonathan Joseph is called up at outside centre, David Strettle on the left wing and Toby Flood at fly-half by coach Stuart Lancaster as he seeks to square a three-match series after a 22-15 loss in Durban last weekend. Ben Foden moves from the left wing to his more accustomed role of full-back while Samoa-born giant Manu Tuilagi switches from outside centre to inside centre. Only right wing Chris Ashton, who has gone seven Tests without a try, and scrum-half Ben Youngs among the backs keep the positions they occupied when the first Test kicked off at Kings Park. A couple of the personnel changes were enforced as full-back Mike Brown flew home this week after injuring his thumb in Durban while inside centre Brad Barritt can only resume playing next week after a first-Test eye injury. Young fly-half Owen Farrell drops to the replacments bench after several indifferent performances for the Six Nations runners-up while Flood starts for the first time since a 2011 World Cup quarter-finals loss to France. There are no changes to the pack and on the bench prop Alex Corbisiero comes in for Paul Doran Jones and Farrell and full-back Alex Goode fill the places vacated by Joseph and Flood. England head coach Stuart Lancaster, who succeeded Martin Johnson this year after the World Cup flop, said he was thrilled to give 21-year-old London Irish centre Joseph a chance. “I am delighted for JJ. He has trained very well and showed against the Barbarians and in his short time on the field in the first Test that he is ready to make the step up to international rugby. “To have two 21-year-old centres is exciting and we are looking forward to seeing this combination in action,” said the 42-year-old with a record of four victories and two losses at Test level. “Owen has had a fantastic season and I am sure he will make a significant impact from the bench. However, Toby has waited patiently for his opportunity and the time is right to allow him the demonstrate his experience and skills. “It is a shame for Mike Brown, who worked hard to get that Test start, but Ben Foden naturally reverts to full-back and we return to the wing partnership of David Strettle and Chris Ashton that served us well in the Six Nations.” South Africa, who were playing for the first time under new coach Heyneke Meyer last weekend, have won eight consecutive Tests against England starting with a 25-14 triumph at Twickenham six years ago. England (15-1) Ben Foden; Chris Ashton, Jonathan Joseph, Manu Tuilagi, David Strettle; Toby Flood, Ben Youngs; Ben Morgan, Chris Robshaw (capt), Tom Johnson; Geoff Parling Mouritz Botha; Dan Cole, Dylan Hartley, Joe Marler Replacements: Lee Mears, Alex Corbisiero, Tom Palmer, Phil Dowson, Lee Dickson, Owen Farrell, Alex Goode. Wales summon experience to chase series leveller Wales have gone for experience in a bid to overhaul the Wallabies and level their best of three Test series in Melbourne tomorrow. The Six Nations Grand Slam champions lost the Brisbane opener 27-19 last weekend and must win in Melbourne to take the series to a decider in Sydney on June 23. Caretaker coach Rob Howley has added more than 180 caps worth of Test experience to beef up his forward pack among four changes to the starting side that lost three tries to one in Brisbane. Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees replaces Ken Owens, Alun Wyn Jones takes over from Luke Charteris at lock and Ryan Jones comes in for injured number eight Toby Faletau (broken hand). Neath centre Ashley Beck, who gained his first cap in a substitute appearance last week, replaces Scott Williams, who was chosen on the bench. Wales showed enough in their fightback from 6-20 down to trail 19-20 in the first Test to indicate they will prove hard to beat with a dry ball under the closed stadium roof tomorrow. “After the first Test Australia are obviously in the ascendency, but the tour is not over by any means and we have all to play for on Saturday,” Howley said yesterday. “We are bringing three very experienced players into the pack, all three made an impact from the bench during the first Test which has justified their selection in the starting line-up this weekend. “Having played two matches now in Australia we have acclimatised and are ready for another huge challenge this Saturday.” Wales are searching for their first win in Australia for 43 years and if they win in Melbourne it will be only their second victory in 11 internationals Down Under. The Welsh will also be looking to considerably tighten their defences after conceding three tries against the Wallabies, as many as they did in their entire five-match Grand Slam triumph this year. Wales will give special attention to scrum-half Will Genia, who ran the show for the Wallabies in Brisbane in a man-of-the-match performance. Coach Robbie Deans has named an unchanged Australian line-up in a bid to clinch the series, although prop Sekope Kepu is in doubt with a strained forearm tendon. Deans is expecting Wales to come back strong this weekend and is under no illusions about the Wallabies’ dominant opening half in Brisbane which rocked the Welsh. “The Welsh will have seen a lot of opportunity in last weekend’s Test,” Deans said. “They showed during their Six Nations campaign that they are resilient—twice winning games in the final moments.”from gulf times.