England name squad for Baa-baas
Training begins: Andrew without several stars
England have announced a 27-man training squad for The Gartmore Challenge against the Barbarians at Twickenham on June 1.
Elite Rugby Directory and Tour Manager Rob Andrew named the squad, which is without several internationals due to Guinness Premiership and Europenan Challenge Cup Final commitments.
"We've picked a very strong England squad to prepare for the match against the Barbarians with all the players selected for the training week travelling with either the England senior team or the Saxons this summer," he said.
"There are a lot of caps amongst the backs and with so many forwards tied up with their clubs in the Guinness Premiership and European Challenge Cup finals, a number of players in the Saxons squad will have their opportunity to put a marker down for future senior team selection.
"We have made one change to the Saxons squad. Alex Brown has a neck injury so we have brought in Stuart Hooper, who will travel to the Churchill Cup and be in contention for selection for the Barbarians match.
"I hope that the fans will give England a big send off on June 1. It's the last time they will see them at Twickenham this season before we head for the two-Test tour in New Zealand and their support on the day will be very much appreciated."
England training squad for Barbarians:
Forwards: Alex Clarke (Bristol), Nick Easter (Harlequins), Tom Guest (Harlequins), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Jason Hobson Bristol), Stuart Hooper (Leeds), Chris Jones (Sale), Nick Kennedy (London Irish), Nick Lloyd (Saracens), Luke Narraway (Gloucester), David Paice (London Irish), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Will Skinner (Harlequins), David Wilson (Newcastle).
Backs: Anthony Allen (Gloucester), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Toby Flood (Newcastle), Charlie Hodgson (Sale), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), Jamie Noon (Newcastle), Topsy Ojo (London Irish), Peter Richards (London Irish), David Strettle (Harlequins), Mathew Tait (Newcastle), Mike Tindall (Gloucester), Richard Wigglesworth (Sale).