He made it!

Last capped on England's North American tour in 2001, Jamie Noon broke back into the England fold after a series of strong performances for Newcastle Falcons, Noon took part in all of the Falcons' league matches and played a pivotal role in ensuring Newcastle's Premiership survival.

Initally winning a bench spot in the England A 6 Nations team, Noon went on to train with the elite squad, and was finally selected in the starting 15 to take on the Barbarians last Sunday. The England team as a whole did not win many plaudits, but Jamie Noon did from fans and pundits alike:

"I thought he had a great game." (Clive Woodward - www.sportinglife.com)

"Newcastle centre Jamie Noon was an attacking threat throughout with his pace and power, scoring two tries in an impressive display." (Planet Rugby)

"The one truly bright note was struck by Jamie Noon. The Newcastle centre scored two tries either side of half-time but was busy and bright all afternoon, finding space and then making good use of it." (Mike Cleary - Daily Telegraph)

"Thought Jamie Noon had an outstanding game against the BaaBaas and if that doesn't convince the England selectors he should be first choice outside centre, I don't (know) what will. I kept asking myself would Mike Tindall have scored those tries in that situation and the answer of course is no." (Happy Hooker - www.falconsrugby.co.uk Message Board)

Noon's performance was enough to convince Woodward to include him in the New Zealand and Australia tour squad, which the England coach has always insisted would consist of his strongest players.

With Mike Tindall, newcomer Stuart Abbott, Will Greenwood and Ben Johnston also in the tour party, hopefully Clive Woodward will be using this tour as a chance to examine his centre combinations in the run up to the World Cup.

Vice-Captain

As expected (and as announced last week) Newcastle Falcons' captain Jonny Wilkinson is also in the squad and has been appointed Vice-Captain.

Dave Walder's performance against the Barbarians unfortunately was not enough to see him join Wilkinson and Noon in the "down under" squad, however it did secure him a place in the Churchill Cup and Japan Tour squad, which is no mean feat considering how few games Walder has played in this season. The Barbarians match being the first game Walder has started since breaking his leg in a pre season friendly.

Hugh Vyvan also makes the Churchill Cup squad, after coming on as a replacement against the Barbarians on Sunday. Michael Stephenson and Tom May who were both in the England training squad to face the Barbarians have missed on the tours due to injury.

The New Zealand & Australia Tour 2003

Backs

Josh Lewsey (London Wasps), Jason Robinson (Sharks), Iain Balshaw (Bath), Ben Cohen (Northampton Saints), Dan Luger (Harlequins), James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), Will Greenwood (Harlequins), Mike Tindall (Bath), Stuart Abbott (London Wasps), Ben Johnston (Saracens), Jamie Noon (Newcastle Falcons), Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons, vice-capt), Paul Grayson (Northampton Saints), Alex King (London Wasps), Matt Dawson (Northampton Saints), Kyran Bracken (Saracens), Andy Gomarsall (Gloucester).

Forwards Jason Leonard (Harlequins), Mike Worsley (London Irish), Trevor Woodman (Gloucester), Graham Rowntree (Leicester Tigers), Phil Vickery (Gloucester), Steve Thompson (Northampton Saints), Mark Regan (Leeds Tykes), Dorian West (Leicester Tigers), Martin Johnson (Leicester Tigers, capt), Ben Kay (Leicester Tigers), Danny Grewcock (Bath), Steve Borthwick (Bath), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Richard Hill (Saracens), Joe Worsley (London Wasps), Neil Back (Leicester Tigers), Andy Hazell (Gloucester), Paul Volley (London Wasps), Martin Corry (Leicester Tigers), Laurence Dallaglio (London Wasps)

Tour schedule:

June 9: New Zealand Maori (New Plymouth) - Live on Sky Sports 1
June 14: New Zealand (Wellington) - Live on Sky Sports 1
June 21: Australia (Melbourne) - Live on Sky Sports 1

The Churchill Cup Test & Japan Squad

Backs:

Dan Scarbrough (Leeds), Michael Horak (London Irish), Phil Christophers (Bristol Shoguns), Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks), Henry Paul (Gloucester), F Waters (Wasps), Ollie Barkley (Bath), Dave Walder (Newcastle Falcons), M Wood (Wasps), Nick Walshe (Sharks).

Forwards:

D Flatman (Saracens), N Hatley (London Irish), W Green (London Wasps), A Sheridan (Bristol Shoguns), Andy Titterrell (Sharks), Phil Greening (London Wasps), M Cairns (Saracens), Tom Palmer (Leeds Tykes), A Brown (Bristol Shoguns), Chris Jones (Sharks), Hugh Vyvyan (Newcastle Falcons), Pete Anglesea (Sharks), Dan Hyde (Leeds Tykes)

Tour schedule:

June 14: Canada, Vancouver
June 21: England A v United States, Vancouver
June 28: Final of Churchill Cup
July 5: England A v Japan, Tokyo

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Falcons' Dowson Makes England Squad

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