Former Stormers and current Exeter Chiefs loose forward Don Armand has been included in England Saxons squad for their short tour of South Africa in June. However, flying Saracens winger Chris Ashton has turned down the opportunity of joining the Saxons squad after he had earlier been omitted from Eddie Jones’ England squad for their tour to Australia.
England Saxons are to be coached by Ali Hepher in their two-Test series against South Africa A, with a 27-man squad being named for the tour.
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 (7.10pm local time).
England internationals Kieran Brookes, Dave Attwood, Danny Cipriani, Matt Kvesic, Christian Wade, Luther Burrell and Semesa Rokoduguni bring 69 senior caps to the squad and many of the remaining 20 have represented England in age-grade teams in recent years.
“(England Head Coach) Eddie Jones has given us a strong development squad to take on a South Africa A side,” said Hepher. “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.”
Hepher will be assisted by Alan Dickens (Northampton Saints) and Andy Titterrell (Wasps) in South Africa.
“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,” he said.
Saxons Squad:
Forwards
Ross Harrison (Sale Sharks)
Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs)
Tommy Taylor (Wasps)
George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons)
Jake Cooper-Woolley (Wasps)
Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints) *16 senior England caps
James Craig (Northampton Saints)
Mitch Lees (Exeter Chiefs)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby) *22 senior England caps
Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs)
Donovan Armand (Exeter Chiefs)
Matthew Kvesic (Gloucester) * Two senior England caps
James Chisholm (Harlequins)
Sam Jones (Wasps)
Backs
Dan Robson (Wasps)
Michael Young (Newcastle Falcons)
Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby)
Danny Cipriani (Wasps) *14 senior England caps
Christian Wade (Wasps) *One senior England cap
Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby) *One senior England cap
Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens)
Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints) *13 senior England caps
Alex Lewington (London Irish)
Sam James (Sale Sharks)
Mike Haley (Sale Sharks)
Management Team
Head Coach – Ali Hepher (Exeter Chiefs)
Assistant Coach – Andy Titterrell (Wasps)
Assistant Coach – Alan Dickens (Northampton Saints)
Team Manager – Richard Hill