Fylde skipper in England debut

Stewart will make his England Counties debut on his home club ground with fellow newcomers Blackheath prop Aston Croall and Worthing Raiders lock Charlie McGowan also included in the pack.

All of the back division have previous England Counties experience but there are four more uncapped players on the bench in prop Tom Harrison, who is on loan at Clifton from Plymouth Albion, Richmond back row forward Chris Davies, Fylde wing Jordan Dorrington and Ealing Trailfinders full-back James Love.

Harrison linked up with the squad late on Tuesday after he was called up to replace Hartpury College’s Tim Brockett who was forced to withdraw for family reasons.

There are two more Fylde players in the Counties’ side with Chris Johnson at fly-half and the free-scoring Oliver Brennand on the left wing.

England Counties XV, the flagship representative team for community rugby in England, will play France Federale XV at Perigeux on March 20 and will then play two matches in Romania on their summer tour in early June.

England line-up: Wilcox; Hurrell, Mitchell, Myring, Brennand; C Johnson, Bedford; Croall, McNamee, S Johnson, McGowan, Hilton, B Johnson, Stewart, Jones. Replacements: Wilkes, Kalbraier, Harrison, Laughlin, Davies, Dorrington, Rodwell, Love.