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Eng too strong for Crusaders

Christchurch - England's fringe Test players proved to coach Stuart Lancaster he was on the right track to build depth as he prepares for next year's World Cup with a 38-7 victory over seven-times Super Rugby champions, the Crusaders, in Christchurch on Tuesday.

The visitors, who have spent most of the tour holding tackle bags for the Test side, scored six tries - four in the first half - while flyhalf Danny Cipriani slotted three conversions before he was substituted early in the second half.

Crusaders flank Matt Todd, who replaced captain George Whitelock when he suffered a head knock in the first half, scored his side's only try, which was converted by Tom Taylor.

England showed a willingness to spread the ball wide and play the game at pace, while their forwards' superior size and the team's rush defensive system put pressure on the Crusaders and forced them into errors and turnovers.

They scored four tries in the first half to hooker Joe Gray, wing Ben Foden, inside centre Brad Barritt and fullback Alex Goode, with Cipriani converting three to go into the break with a handy 26-7 lead.

The match descended into an arm-wrestle in the second half with England wing Anthony Watson's try in the 59th minute the only scoring action before replacement Chris Pennell scored the sixth and final try after the full-time hooter.

It was England's first win on the tour after they lost the first two matches to the All Blacks and will no doubt give the Test side hope ahead of the third and final match in Hamilton on Saturday.

Scorers:


England:

Tries: Joe Gray, Ben Foden, Brad Barritt, Alex Goode, Anthony Watson, Chris Pennell
Conversions: Danny Cipriani (3), Stephen Myler

Crusaders:

Try: Matt Todd
Conversion: Tom Taylor

Teams:

Crusaders

15 Tom Taylor, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Reynold Lee-Lo, 12 Kieron Fonotia, 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 George Whitelock (captain), 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Joel Everson, 4 Jimmy Tupou, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Tim Perry

Substitutes: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Slate Tokolahi, Scott Barrett, Matt Todd, Andy Ellis, Adam Whitelock, Rob Thompson

England

15 Alex Goode, 14 Ben Foden, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Anthony Watson, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Tom Johnson, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 James Haskell, 5 Dave Attwood, 4 Ed Slater (captain), 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Alex Waller

Substitutes: 16 David Ward, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Michael Paterson, 20 Richard Wigglesworth, 21 Stephen Myler, 22 Jonny May, 23 Chris Pennell

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