Official RBS 6 Nations Rugby : Barkley disappointed to miss out on starting role for Australia clash

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Olly Barkley is targetting selection for England's second Test against the Wallabies

Barkley disappointed to miss out on starting role for Australia clash

8 June 2010, 10:06 am

By Sportsbeat

Bath's Olly Barkley admits he has no chance of forcing his way into Martin Johnson's starting XV for the first clash with Australia.

Johnson had insisted from the beginning of the tour that Test selection would be open to every member of his 44-man squad in equal measures leading up to the clash in Perth.

But Barkley knows that Bath teammate Shontayne Hape has already been lined up for a starting role at inside centre against the Wallabies, and the 28-year old has instead set his sights on winning the England shirt for the second Test.

“The Test team is the one you all want to be in and I'm not going to lie, I'm disappointed not to be in the side,” said Barkley.

“The Test side is organised for Saturday and to play two games of Test match intensity from Tuesday to Saturday is not overly realistic at this stage of the season.

“The selection was made four or five days ago so I had a while to get my head around it.

“I'm not one to dwell on what's not going to be so I'll be doing everything during the Barbarians game to stake a claim for a place in the second Test.

“It's a long tour, a week's a long time in sport so we'll see what happens.”