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Last Updated: Monday, 30 October 2006, 14:23 GMT
England debuts for Allen & Perry
Anthony Allen (left) and Shaun Perry
Allen (left) and Perry are only in their second Premiership seasons
Gloucester inside centre Anthony Allen and Bristol scrum-half Shaun Perry will make their England debuts against New Zealand at Twickenham on Sunday.

Allen, a 20-year-old Millfield School product, will partner Newcastle's Jamie Noon in midfield.

Injury ruled out fellow centre Mathew Tait, full-back Josh Lewsey and number eight James Forrester.

Perry is promoted above Peter Richards, while the captaincy reverts from Pat Sanderson to Martin Corry.

Skipper Corry has been picked at blind-side flanker, with Sanderson at number eight and Lewis Moody completing England's back row.

Anthony has impressed in training and stepped up at every stage

Defence coach Mike Ford

Corry captained England last season, but Sanderson took over in Australia when the Tigers star was rested.

"Martin captained the England team very well last year and throughout those matches led the side from the front," said head coach Andy Robinson, who has named three vice-captains - Perry, fly-half Charlie Hodgson and lock Ben Kay.

"All three have a major impact on the way we play and I am very confident they will give Martin valuable assistance," Robinson added.

Allen has started only 23 senior matches for Gloucester, but his vision and verve in a young backline have impressed the England coaches.

"Anthony has played well this season, he's impressed in our training sessions at Loughborough and has stepped up at every stage," defence coach Mike Ford told BBC Sport.

"He played very well against Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy in the Heineken Cup. Playing against those two at Lansdowne Road, you wouldn't blame him for being nervous, but he stood up well and came through with flying colours."

606: DEBATE
Ed
Like Allen, the 28-year-old Perry is in only his second season of Premiership rugby after joining Bristol from National League One club Coventry.

He leapfrogs Gloucester's Richards, who started both Tests during the summer tour of Australia.

"Shaun was unfortunate not to tour in the summer because of a wrist injury but he has maintained his form from last season and it's now right that he gets his chance," said Robinson.

Tait, who suffered a slight thigh muscle tear last week, has returned to his club Newcastle to continue his rehabilitation.

There are five Leicester forwards in the pack - Corry, Moody, Kay, hooker George Chuter and prop Julian White - as England look to stave off a sixth successive defeat.

The world champions have not recorded a victory since beating Italy during last season's RBS Six Nations Championship, suffering losses against Scotland, France, Ireland and Australia (twice).

The All Blacks clash marks the opening of Twickenham's new South Stand, which will increase capacity to 82,000, and launches an autumn series that also features appointments with Argentina and South Africa (twice).


England team to play New Zealand on 5 November:
I Balshaw (Gloucester); M Cueto (Sale), J Noon (Newcastle), A Allen (Gloucester), B Cohen (Northampton); C Hodgson (Sale), S Perry (Bristol); A Sheridan (Sale), G Chuter (Leicester), J White (Leicester), D Grewcock (Bath), B Kay (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester, capt), L Moody (Leicester), P Sanderson (Worcester).
Replacements: To be announced.


SEE ALSO
Seven new caps in England squad
25 Oct 06 |  English
Allen ready for England - Betts
25 Oct 06 |  English
Ellis earns All Blacks squad call
21 Oct 06 |  Rugby Union
Rugby union on the BBC
16 Oct 06 |  Rugby Union


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