Voyce eyes revenge down under

Tom Voyce admits he will travel to Australia with some scores to settle.

England winger Tom Voyce admits he has some scores to settle when he tours Australia this summer.

The Wasps man was part of the squad that suffered heavy defeat to the Wallabies just a year after England's glorious World Cup win, and for Voyce it marked a nightmare introduction to top class international rugby.

Now he is preparing to travel as one of the more experienced members of the touring party, and the 25-year-old is desperate to leave the Southern Hemisphere with some happier memories.

"I don't have fond memories of what happened down there two years ago and I'd like to put that record straight in my head. It was my debut in Australia," stated Voyce.

"Losing to Australia and New Zealand on that tour made me a better player within myself.

"I learned from the defeats and I think it's sometimes important to lose a game because that teaches you so much. I'll go down there with a lot of confidence this time."

Voyce's place is almost guaranteed due to a catalogue of key England withdrawals, including the likes of Lawrence Dallaglio, Steve Thompson and Ben Cohen.

The tour will be used - in part - to blood new talents ahead of the World Cup, including Tom Varndell and Mathew Tait.

Such a test of mettle prompts recollections of England's humiliating tour of 1998, which saw them lose 76-0 to the Wallabies.

However, Voyce is adamant a similar scenario will not occur this time, and he is looking forward to seeing how a developing England side deals with their rebuilding counterparts.

"There has been talk of it becoming another 'Tour to Hell' because of all the senior players pulling out but it's right that we rest some of the guys," Voyce continued.

"We can't go from one season to the next with players not getting a rest, especially with the World Cup coming up.

"There are few young guys out there who want to show what they can do and this will give them a chance to prove to selectors they should be going to the World Cup.

"There will some determined guys travelling to Australia, so we should be going down there with a lot of confidence.

"Going to places like Australia is a great way to pick up international experience.

"We're developing and they're developing so it should be an interesting series. They're rebuilding as well but are a little bit ahead of us."