KYRAN BRACKEN will collect his 45th England cap when he steps out in Wellington on Saturday, June 14, to face the All Blacks.

A thigh injury to Matt Dawson has given Bracken the chance to stake his claim ahead of the World Cup, and, although the Northampton Saints player will certainly be first choice scrum-half come autumn if fit, a good performance from the Saracens captain tomorrow would cement his place ahead of Gloucester's Andy Gomarsall in the pecking order, especially after starting in Englands 23-9 win over the New Zealand Maoris on Monday.

Since making his debut ten years ago against New Zealand at Twickenham - when All Black flanker Jamie Joseph infamously ruled him out of action for three months with a sickening angle-stamp - Bracken's international career has been fragmented by injury.

However, after being omitted from an England training squad by coach Clive Woodward last year, Brackens' Test career looked over. An up-turn in club form though, saw Bracken return to the England fold for the Six Nations Championship and he was handed a massive boost when given the nod ahead of Gomarsall to deputise for the injured Dawson in the victory over France at Twickenham in February.

Saracens' player of the year Richard Hill has also been named in the England starting XV.