By Bryn Palmer

Greenwood to miss tour

Will Greenwood has hit back at critics writing off England's chances of Test success in the southern hemisphere.

Greenwood is one of a trio of players rested from the tour to New Zealand and Australia, with 10 others unavailable.

"Everybody is writing us off already but that is nothing new. We are used to that," Greenwood told BBC Sport.

"They did that last year and look what happened. There will still be a lot of quality players on that plane who enjoy being told they have got no chance."

Greenwood added: "All the players will be thinking this is another adventure to the southern hemisphere and determined to make it as successful as possible."

Playing for England still means more to me than anything Will Greenwood

Martin Johnson, Neil Back, Jason Leonard, Paul Grayson, Dorian West and Kyran Bracken have all retired from the Test scene, many keen to no longer be away from their young families.

Greenwood, 31, whose son was born on his return from Australia after a difficult pregnancy for his wife Caroline, insists he is not ready to join them yet despite missing the tour.

"Obviously I am delighted to have little Archie now," he said. "He is so much fun at home.

"But it is also true that rugby is my job, it is my passion and what I do for a living.

"Playing for England still means more to me than anything."

England face the All Blacks in Dunedin on 12 June and Auckland seven days later, followed by a World Cup final rematch with Australia in Brisbane on 26 June.