Dave Attwood, Charlie Ewels and Semesa Rokoduguni have been included in the England Saxons squad to tour South Africa this June.
The 27-man squad to play two tests against South Africa A, will be coached by Exeter Chiefs assistant coach Ali Hepher, assisted by Alan Dickens (Northampton Saints) and Andy Titterrell (Wasps).
The squad, compromised of experienced names and emerging talent, will play South Africa’s second team in Bloemfontein on Friday 10 June and Outeniqua Park in George on Friday 17 June. Both games will kick off at 19.10 (local time) and be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
England internationals Kieran Brookes, Attwood, Matt Kvesic, Danny Cipriani, Christian Wade, Rokoduguni and Luther Burrell bring 69 senior caps to the squad and many of the remaining 20 have represented England in age-grade teams in recent years.
Attwood, Kvesic, Burrell, Tommy Taylor and Oliver Devoto were named yesterday in Eddie Jones’ wider squad to play Wales for the Old Mutual Wealth Cup at Twickenham on Sunday 29 May.
Saxons head coach Ali Hepher said: “Eddie Jones has given us a strong development squad to take on a South Africa A side. The squad has a good mixture of experienced players and emerging talent.
“Playing South Africa twice in South Africa is going to be a great challenge and a significant test for us but it is also an incredibly exciting opportunity for the players and management to prove themselves.
“The series will give the players international experience and will be an important stepping stone towards international honours.
“As coaches, this is an exciting opportunity for us too, not only to coach this group of highly-talented players but also for us to gain some international rugby experience.”
Forwards
Ross Harrison
Alec Hepburn
Tommy Taylor
George McGuigan
Jake Cooper-Woolley
Kieran Brookes
James Craig
Mitch Lees
Charlie Ewels
Dave Attwood
Dave Ewers
Donovan Armand
Matthew Kvesic
James Chisholm
Sam Jones
Backs
Dan Robson
Michael Young
Oliver Devoto
Danny Cipriani
Christian Wade
Semesa Rokoduguni
Sam Hill
Nick Tompkins
Luther Burrell
Alex Lewington
Sam James
Mike Haley
Management Team
Head Coach - Ali Hepher (Exeter Chiefs)
Assistant Coach - Andy Titterrell (Wasps)
Assistant Coach - Alan Dickens (Northampton Saints)
Team Manager - Richard Hill
