Danny Care set to play for England for first time since 2018 against Barbarians

Danny Care is set to make his first England appearance in four years after being named among the replacements to face the Barbarians in a non-cap international at Twickenham on Sunday in a team led by Tom Curry.

Care won the last of his 84 caps in 2018 but has forced his way back into Eddie Jones’ plans through his electric form for Harlequins over the last two seasons. The 35-year-old will provide cover from the bench for starting scrum-half Harry Randall, who has also been appointed vice-captain.

Randall will partner Marcus Smith at half-back while Jonny May returns to the left wing after missing the Six Nations because of knee surgery. The powerful Joe Cokanasiga is present in the number 14 jersey for his first appearance since facing the USA and Canada a year ago, stationed outside a centre combination of Mark Atkinson and Joe Marchant.

Jonny Hill’s foot injury meant he missed the Six Nations, but he is restored to the second row with Curry, Sam Underhill and Alex Dombrandt forming a strong back row.

“This is a young team, they have prepared really well and worked hard over the past few camps to come together as a group. It’s a great opportunity to play in this England XV side and show what they can do,” head coach Jones said. “We are looking forward to playing against an unusually French Barbarians side - which you normally only get when you play the French Barbarians.

“We’ll use it as an opportunity to develop combinations and assess players for the Australia tour. We will put our best foot forward and it should make for a great game of rugby for all of the supporters at Twickenham.”

England team to play Barbarians T Freeman; J Cokanasiga, J Marchant, M Atkinson, J May; M Smith, H Randall; B Rodd, J Walker, W