GLOUCESTER axis Freddie Burns and Billy Twelvetrees have set the standard for England's South America tour, believes Stuart Lancaster.
Head coach Lancaster hailed the Cherry and Whites duo for guiding England safely through their Barbarians test at Twickenham yesterday.
Burns and Twelvetrees both claimed tries in England's routine 40-12 victory over the underwhelming Barbarians.
England fly out to Uruguay tomorrow, taking on a South America XV in Montevideo on Sunday (kick-off 7.30pm BST), before squaring up to two tests against Argentina.
Lancaster's men racked up five tries in all, with the listless Barbarians only mustering two late consolation scores.
Gloucester player/coach Mike Tindall and departing club captain Jim Hamilton were unable to contain the composed and measured England side.
Lancaster praised fly-half Burns and inside centre Twelvetrees for breaching new ground successfully, thriving in expanded leadership roles .
He explained: "I thought Freddie handled the game extremely well.
"He varies the depth of his passing according to what defences are doing, and if you've got a 13 who comes out of the line on occasions as they did, then he has the ability to see that, and either put the ball over the top of it or through it.
"And that, allied to his kicking game which was pretty good, his goal-kicking was very good and his line-kicking was exceptional, I thought.
"So I thought it was a strong performance from Freddie Burns and a very good start.
"He tightened up at the end with his hamstring.
"Stephen Myler will come in fresh from Northampton and the Premiership final into the squad, and he'll get an opportunity this week.
"And then I'm sure Freddie will be back in the equation.
"The likes of Rob Webber, Tom Johnson, Freddie and Billy Twelvetrees have had to step up and take the lead.
"We had cohesion in defence, set-piece and attack, and that's probably the most pleasing part of the game.
"I think the likes of Freddie, Billy and Jonathan Joseph have set a good standard."
Gloucester wing Jonny May made a reasonable cameo off the bench, but starters Christian Wade and Marland Yarde certainly impressed Lancaster.
With the British Lions tour affording opportunities to mix up selection and blood a host of youngsters, Lancaster believes England can now start to capitalise on the Premiership's seemingly endless supply of quick-fire finishing talent.
Kingsholm speed merchant May could well have an opportunity to impress in Montevideo this weekend.
If so he could well need to show all his finishing prowess in order to dislodge either Wasps' Wade or London Irish's Yarde to win a test spot for the two battles against Argentina.
Lancaster continued: "The potential of the strike power in this squad at the moment is enormous.
"There's strength in depth in the back-three and in midfield.
"I see the four games as an opportunity to look at different players in different positions.
"I want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to play.
"But I'll prioritise on the tests and select on merit for that."
