voting behind Tom Croft and the winner, Ben Foden. In July 2009 Care was named in the England Elite Player Squad for the forthcoming season. Earlier in the year he had agreed a 2-year contract extension with Harlequins, committing himself to the club until June 2011. Season 2009–10 Care retained his position as starting scrum-half for the first of the Autumn Internationals in 2009 against Australia, England lost the game 18–9. There was widespread criticism of the overall team performance and there were 4 changes for the game the following week against Argentina with Care moving to the replacements' bench to be replaced by Paul Hodgson. In another disappointing game England beat Argentina 16–9 and Care remained on the bench for the final game against New Zealand which England lost 19–6. Care made brief appearances late in the game against both Argentina and New Zealand. By the start of the 2010 RBS 6 Nations Care had regained his place as No.1 scrum-half and he started all 5 games in the championship. He played a prominent part in England's 30–17 victory against Wales in the opening game at Twickenham, scoring a try early in the second half and the following week against Italy in Rome, England won 17–12. England selected an unchanged team for the next game at home to Ireland but lost 20–16 to a late Irish try. England's championship hopes ended in the next game, away to Scotland, which finished 15-all. Care was part of a much improved England performance in the final game of the championship against France in Paris. France won 12–10 to claim the Grand Slam, England finished in 3rd place. At club level Care had a disappointing season with Harlequins who finished in 8th place in the Guinness Premiership, missing out on qualification for the Heineken Cup. At the end of the season Care was part of the England squad which travelled to Australia and New Zealand for a 5-game tour including 2 Tests against Australia but before the tour party left England played against the Barbarians at Twickenham in a "non-cap" game. Care started the game which England won 35–26. In Australia Care started the 1st Test against Australia in Perth which Australia won 27–17. England's poor performance in the game attracted significant criticism and Care was replaced by Ben Youngs for the 2nd Test one week later in Sydney. England narrowly won the