23 Jun 2010

New Zealand Maori a third test for English rugby team

10:09 am on 23 June 2010

The England rugby coach Martin Johnson says they consider tonight's clash against the New Zealand Maori as the third test of their tour.

The English have just come off a drawn series with the Wallabies and have left out a number of their top players for tonight's match, although the side does include some familiar names in Charlie Hodgson, Matthew Tait, Delon Armitage and Chris Ashton.

The English dominated most of the set pieces against Australia, but Johnson expects tonight's contest to be relatively even.

The Maori have beaten the Barbarians and Ireland so far in their three match centenary series.