Backs:

M Brown (Harlequins); Brown is a young player who's come a long way this season, he's very solid under the high ball, is always well positioned and makes his tackles.  He's also a very intelligent counter attacker, all be it not blessed with out and out searing pace.  Glad he's on tour, not sure he'll play, maybe because I don't have any idea who should play 15 now Lewsey's not touring.

P Sackey (Wasps), quite simply the best winger in the Northern Hemisphere at the moment, and I include the little Frenchmen in that.  His game has improved massively since joining Wasps, he gets stuck in, goes looking for work, is strong in the tackle and looks dangerous.  Is a shoe in for the first XV.

D Strettle (Harlequins):  Strettle had a great start to his international career but injuries in the last 12 months have made him a difficult one to call really.  He's been back in decent form for Quins but sometimes his desire to attack has meant he gets isolated and turns the ball over.  Will probably start at least one of the games.

T Ojo (London Irish):  the most improved winger in the Premiership in the last 12 months.  Has been used intelligently through the centre this season and has shown an ability to beat people on both sides - Not always totally convinced about his defensive positioning but is in seriously good form at the moment and deserves to start one of the tests (he'll probably share a slot with Strettle). 

M Tait (Newcastle);would be a great player if he was 3 inches taller and a stone heavier.  Unless Johnson has balls of steel and picks him at 15 he won't play.  To be fair, between him and Balshaw, I'd have Tait.

M Tindall (Gloucester); is showing cracking form and would go well outside Olly Barkley and Danny Cipriani.  Can hold a defence like very few others and running off Cipriani he could be very difficult to stop.  If fit he'll probably play, I think Noon should start.

J Noon (Newcastle): Noon has a better eye for a line than most outside centres but his hands are poor, like Tindall.  He also hits like a bitch but I haven't seen him play much since the 6N so don't know what form he's in.  He or Tindall will be 13.

T Flood (Newcastle); has suffered at Newcastle this season and I'm glad he's off.  Not shown much form recently although was starting to show some nice touches and ambition with ball in hand and with his passing.  Don't think his defence is solid enough to play outside DC.

O Barkley (Bath); been in brilliant form all year and deserves to win Prem player of the season, incredible given what's been going on for him off the pitch.  He's always reminded me of Luke McAlister, and this year seems to have added pacey breaks through the middle to his repertoire.  Is making his hits and therefore a better match for DC in my opinion.  Should walk into the 12 shirt.

D Cipriani (Wasps); mercurial, cocky, talented, sometimes shoddy.  He's still showing flashes of brilliance and idiocy in roughly equal measure.  His tackling will be a concern if NZ send any of the big boys down his channel.  He usually defends wider out for Wasps, there won't be time to do that against NZ.  He is defo first choice 10.

C Hodgson (Sale Sharks); in good form, should have been a very good international 10, too many injuries, and he just wasn't Jonny.  He'll never ever be first choice but makes for a considerable back up.

R Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks); not in form, pass is too slow, decision making too slow, but he can be a pain around the ruck.  Will probably start but expect Danny Care to get some serious game time.

P Richards (London Irish); please god don't let this guy play.  Not good enough at 9 or 13 to nail down a permanent place at either for his club, why is he even in the touring squad - experience can be the only reason, that and Ellis needs rest to rehabillitate his knee.

D Care (Harlequins): very exciting 9,  just what a 9 should be, quick in both mind and feet, very good pass (prob best English passer), will keep back rows honest as he goes around the ruck so often and can be a bit of a maveric - watch for his chipping over for the corner.  Concern is he might try too much and get gobbled by the AB back row, either way it'll be a good education for him.

Forwards:

A Sheridan (Sale Sharks): In good form, hope he proves himself down under, he's a beast.

T Payne (Wasps); he really isn't very good, which is a worry.

M Stevens (Bath); is in frankly brilliant form for Bath, scrummaging very well, running with ball in hand like a big barrerlling centre, also very capable of offloading in the tackle thanks the Bath's new found ambition.  Can't wait to see him nail his place as first choice tight head.

J Hobson (Bristol): no idea!

L Mears (Bath): Like Stevens, he's in fine form and will start as hooker.  He's only little but his throwing is accurate and his burrowing / running in the loose has been excellent recently.  also able to offload, he's only keeping the shirt warm until Hartley's ready but that won't be on this tour.

D Hartley (Northampton); no one other than Northampton fans have seen much of him this season because he's been in National League One, which would be a worry for me.  He'll eventually be the England hooker so its good to get him in the squad but I'm not sure he's up to it just yet.

D Paice (London Irish): again, not that good...

S Borthwick (Bath, capt); great form, very good captain, very good decision to make him so.  Good lineout forward and has put on muscle.  However, playing alongside Kennedy they might be a bit lightweight.  Therefore he'll probably partner Kay.

B Kay (Leicester):  Same old same old.  No future there, but we don't have a bruiser and he's as close as we'll get on this tour.

N Kennedy (London Irish); the best lineout forward in the premiership, I hope we have the bollocks to pick him, he gets up quickly and is incredibly agile in the air.  Also specialises in getting just infront of the intended receiver.  Could cause the ABs some problems in the lineout if he gets the chance, but would be a bit of a liability in the scrum.

T Palmer (Wasps); Just hasn't dominated at Wasps like people hoped he would, he'll never be the long term first choice and I'd be surprised if he started.

T Croft (Leicester); Surprised a few in the 6N by being more than just a speed merchant, was strong around the rucks.  However, the ABs back row is a different kettle of fish and I suspect he'll be judged just to lightweight at this stage to be risked at 6.

J Haskell (Wasps); excellent player, in good form, still liable to the odd brain fart.  He's actually a massive bastard and dwards Dayglo when they stand next to each other.  Is the long term England 8 but I suspect he'll play 6 in the summer.

J Worsley (Wasps); be surprised if he plays, but he might be on the bench

M Lipman (Bath): best 7 in England by a country mile at the moment, can't look beyond him for the 7 shirt.  He'll get played off the park at the breakdown by McCaw but he runs hard, hits hard and links well, he deserves his chance and will provide a required physicality at the contact.

T Rees (Wasps); not sure about Rees, good on the floor, just not big enough or strong enough yet, would be surprised if he played on tour.

N Easter (Harlequins); In ok form for Quins, but is the only properly skillfull 8 in the squad and is experienced, therefore he'll probably start.  Long term he won't be our 8 but should do a job at the back of a scrum which might creak a little bit without Shaw.

L Narraway (Gloucester); very talented young man, played 8 very well in the 6N but would be amazed if he started any of the games.  Again, long term he could be part of a back row with Haskell and Rees but Croft might have something to say.