Former England international Stuart Barnes has heaped praise on new boys Alex Goode and Tom Johnson for their performances during the Test series with South Africa.
After two defeats in their opening two matches against the Springboks, England salvaged some pride as they earned a 14-14 draw in Port Elizabeth on Saturday in the third and final Test. Goode and Johnson both made the debuts during the tour, and Barnes was impressed with the duo.
"I think England have been struggling to get this 10, 12 passing game right," said Barnes. "It has not happened on this tour and it might come by having the 10, 15 passing game. We may arrive at Stuart Lancaster's philosophy by a very different route to what we thought initially.
"We all think a lot of Goode - he played well today. Not so much by what he did, but his composure and his aura - he was like to the manor born. He has great vision and I thought he was outstanding.
"As for Tom Johnson, that is a real credit to the selection of this team. We can remember last year we talked about Johnson and he was not on anyone's radar. Lancaster has opened up his mind and had a look and because of that, Johnson's pace has really lifted England.
"He is almost as quick as Tom Croft but he gets down and dirty a lot more than Croft. It just makes competition in the backrow so strong and that can only be good."
Goode, who plays his club rugby for Saracens, came off the bench during the second Test and made his full debut in the final game, while Exeter Chiefs' started every match of the tour.
