The England Counties today named their 26-man squad for next month’s three match tour to Uganda and Kenya.

Eleven counties and 15 clubs are represented within the squad which contains 12 debutants. 

Rob Baldwin (pictured) will captain the tour party, having led the side to a 34-16 victory over the Counties’ Irish counterparts, the Ulster Bank International Team, in March.  Nine other players featured in the spring international, whilst Jim Wigglesworth steps up after impressing for the England Counties U20s earlier this month.

The England Counties squad is the representative flagship of the county and community game and since being founded in 2002 has visited North and South America, Europe and the Far East.  Nine players have previous touring experience but the side will be treading new ground when they head to the African continent.

The squad assembles on the 1st June and the 17-day tour incorporates the largest tour outreach programme ever undertaken.  Working with the Tag Rugby Trust, the squad and management will carry out frequent coaching sessions and visits, aiming to raise the profile of rugby and leave a lasting legacy for the host unions.

The squad plays both Uganda and a combined East Africa side in Kampala before taking on the challenge of an East Africa Invitation XV in Nairobi.

Team Manager Michael Old said: “Selection has been particularly tough this year as the quality of players making themselves available for the County Championship continues to improve but we are very pleased with the final line up.

“Squad flexibility was a key consideration particularly in the specialist roles of prop, hooker and scrum half.  In the event of injury or illness we will not be able to fly replacements out so it was important to have experience across positions: props Jared Saunders and David Dickinson have played at hooker whilst hooker, Joe Bonner can switch to prop, and Jack Smales, a wing/full back, has played regularly at scrum half.

“I would like to offer my congratulations to the players on their selection and as with all ECXV tours it is hugely exciting to get a new group of players together to see what they can produce on the pitch; I would expect this squad to continue England Counties proud tour record and recent run of victories.

“The Ugandan and Kenyan Rugby Unions are looking forward to the prospect of having an England team on their soil.  During a recent visit, we saw the pace, skill and commitment of the countries’ players and they will be highly motivated to perform against us.

“The squad will be faced with playing challenges very different to their club and county games and the unpredictability of the opposition is one of the most exciting elements of touring for both players and coaches.  During the recce we also visited some of the schools and orphanages that we are going to be working with, together with the Tag Rugby Trust charity, and I am confident it will be a very rewarding and humbling experience for all involved as we make a positive impact on our East African hosts both on and off the pitch.”

England Counties Squad for Kenya and Uganda:

Forwards

Rob Baldwin*^ (Wharfedale & Yorkshire)

Joe Bonner (Blackheath & Kent)

Richard Boyle^(Newcastle Falcons & Northumberland)

James Cleverly (Blackheath & Kent)

David Dickinson* (Tynedale & Northumberland)

Billy Johnson (Unattached & Hertfordshire)

James Lindfield (Westcombe Park & Kent)

Dave Marwick (Stockport & Cheshire)

Louis McGowan*^ (Sedgley Park & Lancashire)

Ben Pons (Moseley & North Mids)

Gareth Rawlings (Fylde & Lancashire)

Jared Saunders (Saracens & Hertfordshire)

Craig Voisey^ (Moseley & North Mids)

Sam Wilkes* (Cinderford & Gloucestershire)

Backs

Chris Briers*^ (Fylde & Lancashire)

Will Burton (Luctonians & North Mids)

Phil Chesters* (Ealing & Devon)

Steve Hamilton^ (Unattached & Yorkshire)

Peter Hodgkinson*^ (Ealing & Cheshire)

Toby Howley-Berridge (Unattached & Eastern Counties)

Stefan Liebenberg* (Bedford & Hertfordshire)

Harry Peck*^ (Tynedale & Northumberland)

Jack Smales^ (Nevers & Northumberland)

Rory Teague (Cinderford & Gloucestershire)

Tom Wheatcroft* (Ealing & Warwickshire)

Jim Wigglesworth (Hull & Yorkshire)

Denotes

* Represented England Counties in Spring Internationals

^ Represented England Counties on previous tour

Stand by players to be called upon in the event of injury before departure:

Rob Schillachi^ (Hertford & Hertfordshire); Jamie Salter (Launceton & Cornwall); Chris Wearmouth*(Blaydon & Durham); Gavin Jones (Blaydon & Yorkshire); Philip Woodhead* (Wharfedale & Yorkshire); Tyson Lewis (Plymouth & Devon)

Match schedule

• Game 1: v Uganda in Kampala – Tuesday 5th June
• Game 2: v East Africa in Kampala – Saturday 9th June
• Game 3: v East Africa Invitation XV in Nairobi – Saturday 16th June

The former England and Richmond scrum half is set to make her move into the English pack after being named at hooker for England’s uncapped game against France on Wednesday, kick off 6pm GMT, at the Jean Bouin Stadium in Marseille.

Switching from scrum-half to hooker in international rugby is an unusual move but for Turner the move isn’t that unique as she first started her rugby career in the Number two shirt.

Turner said: “I have always seen myself as a hooker falling into the scrum half position to be perfectly honest. I was not a scrum half who just wanted to try something new.

“Not many people will know this but I actually played all my junior rugby as a hooker. It just so happened then that our scrum half injured herself and I was the only player there who could consistently pass from the left and right so I stood in. From there I was asked to go to regional trials and it just sort of snow balled. I loved playing scrum half as I could kick the ball, pass and I could do whatever I wanted really, it was just that it was all rather accidental.

“I have always said to myself that when I achieved what I have done as a nine that I would give hooking another go. It’s comfortable and it feels right for me now. Looking ahead I have now got four years to go before the next world cup and my challenge is to be the best hooker in the world by then.”

The match will also mark a significant day for Turner who has not actually played international rugby since England’s defeat to New Zealand in the 2010 Rugby World Cup final. Since that defeat, the 27-year-old has been beset by injuries as well as having to make the transition to the front row and earn her honours in that position.

“After the world cup final I went back to premiership rugby and I expressed my intention to the England and Richmond coaches,” she added. “They were good about it but before I had a chance to make the move I injured myself playing sevens in Dubai. Initially, it was just going to be six weeks out and an operation and I knew I could deal with that. But then there were further complications as I injured myself again, and then again.  So I had to have another operation and basically I spent a year on the side-lines injured which was hugely frustrating.

“Throughout the year I was kept in the picture by the English coaches. The coaches were concerned that I might not be able to last a full 80 at hooker but I have been doing a lot of work on body positions, striking off the ball and working with Simon Hardy, the England Specialist Coach, and he has been awesome. We had a hooking camp recently with him and just being in an environment like that for two days was massively beneficial and now I am in with a shot.”

And if Turner can do enough to impress on Wednesday night, she is hoping that Head Coach Gary Street will make her dreams come true by giving her a starting cap at hooker against France on Saturday in the full international test match at the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium in Chateaurenard.

“For me, I never got a starting cap at nine. I came off the bench for my first cap but it really would mean the world to me to start my first game at hooker but that is something quite rare. I may have 50 plus caps at scrum half, but now I see myself as not having any. If I get that starting cap at hooker I will be over the moon. That is the highest privilege as far as I am concerned. I am now more excited and more motivated than ever. I have got my teeth into a new position and I have a new hunger to my game.”

England team v France

15        Kay     Wilson            (Bristol)

14        Michaela        Staniford        (Wasps)

13        Georgina       Roberts          (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

12        Kimberley      Oliver  (Bristol)

11        Lydia  Thompson     (Worcester)

10        Ceri     Large  (Worcester)

9          Natasha         Hunt   (Lichfield)

1          Rochelle        Clark   (Worcester)

2          Amy    Turner            (Richmond)

3          Rosemarie     Crowley         (Lichfield)

4          Harriet            Millar-Mills     (Lichfield)

5          Rowena         Burnfield       (Richmond)

6          Alexandra      Matthews       (Richmond)

7          Hannah         Gallagher      (Saracens)

8          Sarah Hunter            (Lichfield)

Replacements:

16        Victoria           Fleetwood     (Lichfield)

17        Laura  Keates            (Worcester)

18        Tamara           Taylor(Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

19        Isobel Noel-Smith    (Bristol)

20        Rose   Jay      (Lichfield)

21        Sarah             McKenna       (Wasps)

22        Katherine      Merchant       (Worcester)

England Women Autumn International Series

• Nov 2nd France v England, Jean Bouin Stadium, Marseille, KO 6pm GMT
• Nov 5th France v England, Pierre de Coubertin Stadium at Chateaurenard, KO 2pm GMT
• Nov 26th England v New Zealand, Twickenham Stadium, KO 5pm
• Nov 29th England v New Zealand, Esher RFC, KO 7pm
• Dec 3rd England v New Zealand, Esher RFC, 2pm

Tickets for the game at Twickenham on November 26th are available from Ticketmaster.co.uk and group booking are available from the RFU by calling 0871 22 22 017, option 6. Prices range from £65 to £35. Junior tickets cost just £15.

Tickets for the international tests at Esher RFC on November 29th and December 3rd will be available on the gate and cost £10 for adults and £5 for juniors.

The 24-year-old Kiwi, who is the younger brother of Saturday’s man-of-the-match Richard Mayhew, plays at hooker but is also averse to the back row.

Speaking only moments after touching down at Newcastle Airport, Mayhew told Falcons TV: “It’s great to finally arrive and it has been a very long flight. I’m very much looking forward to getting amongst it.”

Teaming up with older brother Richard, the 6ft 1” No.2 said: “It’s good to see him again and he looks like he’s out of the Lion King with that haircut!

“I can’t wait to get stuck in and try my best. I’ve been really impressed with the whole set-up and it’s very professional and welcoming.”

Mayhew’s arrival on Tyneside gives the northeasterners an added boost ahead of Saturday’s trip to Exeter, with South African centre Corne Uys also expected to complete the relevant paperwork within the next two to three weeks, prior to his move to Kingston Park.

Head coach Alan Tait said: “I’ve looked at the videos of him playing for North Harbour and he is a quality player.

“We need cover at hooker and the signing of Michael means we will not be exposed in that area. His brother had a great game on Saturday, against Bath and he will want to prove himself in a Falcons jersey.”

22 year old Charles, who has recently finished the Super Rugby season with the Western Force, moves to Kingsholm on a short team deal as Argentinian international Matias Cortese has had surgery on a minor knee injury.

Cortese’s injury, along with Scott Lawson’s absence on Scotland international duty, means that Gloucester Rugby enter their preseason friendly campaign with only two fit hookers in England U20 international Koree Britton and Darren Dawidiuk.

Charles started his Super Rugby career with the ACT Brumbies and is a former Australian Schoolboys and U20s international.

And in October 2010 at 21 years of age, he was selected to the Qantas Wallabies Training Squad for the 2010 Spring Tour.

Currently on tour in Samoa with the Western Force, he will link up with the Gloucester Rugby squad very shortly and will be a welcome addition to the squad according to Head Coach Bryan Redpath:

“Nathan’s a very highly rated hooker in Australia. He’s got Super Rugby experience and has trained with the Wallabies.  We’re fortunate to be able to bring him in to cover Matias’ absence.”

“We had to act because if anything happened to Koree or Darren in the preseason games, we’d have no hooker cover for the start of the Aviva Premiership season. So, it’ll be good to have him on board.” 

Former Ospreys front row Shervington joined Warriors last summer and has made a total of 16 appearances for the club. The 26-year-old has scored tries against Rotherham Titans in the RFU Championship and Leinster A, Newport and Moseley Rugby in the British & Irish Cup.

The Newport-born hooker, who has been capped for Wales at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 level, has now signed a new one-year deal at Sixways.

“We have retained Ed and we are very happy with him as he is developing all the time,” said Head Coach Richard Hill.

“With the three hookers we have in Chris Fortey, Aleki Lutui and Ed we could have gone for two of any three of those in recent weeks. I have gone for continuity in recent weeks and Ed has missed out in the last few games.

“But I feel Ed could come into the first team and do equally as well, he played against Moseley recently in the cup and played very well indeed. I have 100 percent confidence in Ed.

“We are looking to the future and he is a modern day hooker who is fast, athletic, mobile and very, very fit. He will be very good long-term asset for Worcester Warriors.”

Shervington added: “I’m very pleased to sign a new contract at Worcester as I have enjoyed my year here. I love the boys and have enjoyed working under the coaching team at Warriors.

“I have had a fair bit of game time this year and feel I have developed as a player. Now I’m looking forward to making an impact in the league play-offs and helping us get promoted. Happy days.”

David joined the London Irish Academy in 2003 and went on to become an integral part of the club’s U19 team that won the National Cup that season. What was meant to be a year long stay turned into a permanent move after he was promoted to the first team and has since gone on to make 136 senior appearances for the club, scoring six tries.

The Australian born hooker has represented England Saxons and gained full international selection when he played against New Zealand in July 2008.

London Irish head coach, Toby Booth said: “I have worked very closely with David since he first joined us in 2003. He is an accomplished lineout thrower and is great in the loose. We are all delighted that he will be with us for a further three seasons.”

Commenting on his decision to extend his current contract, David said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at London Irish and I am sure I will continue to do so. We have a squad full of class players and I want to be with them challenging for titles over the coming seasons.”

Cronin, 24, was educated at Ardscoil Rís in Limerick and has previously played with Munster and Connacht, whom he joined in the summer of 2008.

A former Ireland Schools representative, Cronin featured in the AIB League for Shannon and he earned his first Ireland cap against Fiji in the RDS in November 2009, incidentally in the same match as Jonathan Sexton and Sean O’Brien.

He won his first start against New Zealand in the 2010 Summer Tests and also started against Australia. Cronin has also represented Ireland Schools, U-19, U-21, and ‘A’ (Ireland Wolfhounds) levels.

The Limerick man played three games in the recent Guinness series against Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina and has featured 7 times for Ireland to date.

Sean Cronin said: “I am delighted to put pen to paper on a deal to join Leinster this summer and I believe that with the exciting players in the squad, the future looks bright.

“I have been hugely impressed by Leinster’s displays both in the Magners League and in the Heineken Cup so far this season and the province’s ambitions mirror my own. Hopefully I can establish myself in the squad when I join up in a few months time.

“I am grateful for the opportunity that Connacht have given me over the last three years to play for a fantastic club. They will continue to grow from strength to strength under Eric Elwood and the existing management team and I will do my utmost to help improve our Magners League standing over the coming months.”

Commenting on Cronin’s signing, Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt said: “It’s great that Sean has confirmed that he will join us this summer. He is a dynamic and talented front rower who will add experience at hooker following the retirement of John Fogarty earlier this season.”

15 Steve McColl
14 Andy Wright
13 Oli Goss
12 PJ Gidlow
11 Matt Williams
10 Tristan Roberts
9 Chris Hallam
1 Dan Frazier
2 Steve Boden
3 Michael Cusack
4 Glen Kenworthy
5 Matt Challinor
6 Zack Farivarz
7 Neil Cochrane
8 Andy Boyde
16 Lewis Thiede
17 Steve Lawrie
18 Dom Parsons
19 Chris Walker
20 Chris Briers
21 Brett Davey
22 Dougie Flockhart

Titterrell requires surgery on his ACL which leaves the Yorkshire side with only one senior hooker available for this weekend’s clash with Sale with Steve Thompson away on international duty with England.

Commenting on the news Director of Rugby Andy Key said, “We are bitterly disappointed for Andy however he will have the operation very soon and I am sure, given his nature and athletic strength that he will be battling to be back as soon as possible. Whilst we have suffered a number of injuries this season, this is only the second time that a serious injury has occurred in training, with Dan White breaking his leg earlier this year which makes it even more frustrating for Andy.

“Unfortunately in the short term, with Steve Thompson away with England, that only leaves us with Phil Nilsen to cover at hooker. We have two very talented young hookers in Harry Hannan and Scott Freer but both are coming back from long term injuries. In the case of Scott, hopefully he will get some rugby under his belt in the next week and I am sure he will be pushing for inclusion in the first team squad in due course. We have to make sure that we do not rush into a decision in case there are other options out there.”

Bedford’s impressive 23-16 points victory at Bristol on Sunday means they have recorded five wins from the six Championship games played to date, and are presently second in the league table behind Worcester. The Pirates are third.

The Blues, whose only loss in this campaign was a narrow 19-16 defeat away to Rotherham Titans, ended up fourth in the league table last season and have since acquired the services of players including former Plymouth Albion hooker Joe Clark, and a former Exeter duo in centre Tom Bedford and lock Sean Tomes. Owen Farrell and James Short (their top try-scorer with 4), are two of a number of players who are dual-registered with Saracens, and their top points scorer is James Pritchard on 67.

In four games played against Bedford last season, the Pirates won 25-24 and 22-18 at home, but lost 19-16 and 42-18 away. The latter loss understandably dented pride, so the Pirates will strive to make amends this weekend. Their selection shows a number of changes, one in the backs and five in the forwards, from the side that started against Plymouth Albion last Sunday. Tom Luke comes into the side at inside centre in place of the unavailable Steve Winn, and in the pack flankers Phil Burgess and Chris Morgan return, as does lock Laurie McGlone who has recovered from injury and will partner Mike Myerscough in the second-row. The experienced Alan Paver is named at loose-head prop, and Dave Ward was an obvious to be named at hooker following the broken ankle injury suffered by Rob Elloway. Listed among the replacements is the highly promising Tom Cowan-Dickie, who will make his Championship debut if called off the bench.

Cornish Pirates: R. Cook, G. Pointer, M. Hopper, T. Luke, W. Davies, J. Bentley, G. Cattle (capt), B. Cowan, P. Burgess, C. Morgan, L. McGlone, M. Myerscough, R. Brits, D. Ward, A. Paver.
Replacements: R. Storer, T. Cowan-Dickie, C. Rimmer, I. Nimmo, K. Marriott, R. McAtee, N. Jackson.