Skinner tips Care to star for England

8:33am Thursday 15th May 2008

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Will Skinner has tipped Harlequins team-mate Danny Care to shine on England's summer tour of New Zealand.

The 21-year-old scrum-half was named alongside clubmates Nick Easter, David Strettle and full-back Mike Brown in elite director of rugby Rob Andrew and team manager Martin Johnson's 32-man senior squad on Tuesday.

Care has impressed as Quins came within touching distance of the Guinness Premiership play-offs this season, losing out to Leicester Tigers 31-28 on the final day.

He will vye with Peter Richards and Richard Wigglesworth for the number shirt in the starting XV against the All Blacks.

Skinner, picked to lead the England Saxons side who head Stateside for the Churchill Cup, believes Care can come out on top.

"If you simply go on his performances for Harlequins this season, you would have to say he has a good chance of making the starting XV," he said.

"He has had a great run since coming into the side and he has performed very well against all the other scrum-halves out there."

Fulham-based Skinner is joined in the Saxons forwards by young Stoop back-row stars Chris Robshaw and Tom Guest, while a reborn Ugo Monye has forced his way into a backline including Bristol-bound fly-half Adrian Jarvis.

Monye has appeared in the centres as well as on the wing for Quins this season, and Skinner believes the former England Sevens star has earned his reward for an injury free campaign.

"He has scored some great tries. He has stepped his game up and stepped up to the mark professionally this season," he added.

"Ugo is one of those guys you need for international tours. He can play several positions now, which is a real addition to his game."

Skinner, who had already put any holiday plans on hold before the end of the season, will take part in his second successive Churchill Cup campaign, having lifted the trophy at Twickenham last summer.

He is confident two seasons without a proper break - and now with the added responsibility of captain - will not drain him for a fresh tilt at play-off glory next year.

"At the end of the day, we are rugby players and I just want to keep playing as much as I can and developing my game," he said.

"I have had a few injuries this season and we have been given plenty of breaks during the season. I think I will be okay."