Saxons name squad for Irish Wolfhounds clash

Tom Varndell could wear an England shirt for the first time since 2009 after being named in the England Saxons 25-man training squad to face the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds in Gloucester on January 25.
The London Wasps winger is one of 10 players called in from outside the Saxons Elite Player Squad, nine of whom are making their first appearances at this level.
Alex Waller (Northampton), Dave Ward, Charlie Matthews (both Harlequins), Scott Wilson (Newcastle), Dave Lewis, Henry Slade, Sam Hill (all Exeter), and Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath) have all impressed this season and replace players currently injured or elevated to the Senior squad that assembles next Monday.
The Saxons squad will be updated to take on Scotland A in Glasgow the following week but before then they face a significant challenge against the Wolfhounds, who they narrowly beat 14-10 in Galway last season with a late score from Saracens flanker Will Fraser.
Joe Lydon, the RFU’s Head of International Player Development, leads the Saxons management with Head Coach Jon Callard assisted by Simon Hardy and Saracens’ Paul Gustard.
England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “Our philosophy on selection is to give some younger players an opportunity alongside one or two more established players who are looking to push into the Senior squad. It is a great opportunity for players to put a marker down and show they have the ability to go from club to country and still deliver the club form many of them have been showing. The opportunities ahead of them are clear with a major tour to New Zealand to come this summer before the Rugby World Cup next year.
“We have a good blend in the backline with the likes of Henry Slade and Sam Hill stepping up from England Under 20 side that won the Junior World Championship last summer.
“In the back three, we’re all excited about seeing Mathew Tait in an England shirt once more and having him, Elliot Daly, Tom Varndell and Semesa Rokoduguni available means we’re strong in that area, and we will rotate the squad so everyone will get an opportunity.
“We’ve followed Semesa’s progress since his days in the British Army, he’s excited about playing England after qualifying by residence and his form and the feedback from the Bath coaches has been excellent this season.”
England Saxons
Forwards: Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby), Calum Clark (Northampton Saints), Will Collier (Harlequins), Sam Dickinson (Northampton Saints), Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), Jamie George (Saracens), Jamie Gibson (Leicester Tigers), Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers), George Kruis (Saracens), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), Luke Wallace (Harlequins), Alex Waller (Northampton Saints), Dave Ward (Harlequins), Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons).
Backs: Miles Benjamin (Leicester Tigers), Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), Elliot Daly (London Wasps), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Dave Lewis (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby), Mathew Tait (Leicester Tigers), Tom Varndell (London Wasps).