Rob Baldwin has been chosen to lead a squad of 26 rugby players as the England counties gear up for their East African tour. A total of eleven counties and 15 clubs are represented with 12 of the 26 being debutants in the team that is to face the Elgon Warriors in Kampala and Nairobi.
Jim Wigglesworth is the young star promoted from the England Counties U-20 side with nine of the team also featuring for the spring international. The England Counties squad is the representative flagship of the county and community game and since being founded in 2002 has visited North and South America, Europe and the Far East.
The 17-day tour of East Africa is the largest outreach programme ever undertaken. Working with the Tag Rugby Trust, the squad and management will carry out frequent coaching sessions and visits, aiming to raise the profile of rugby and leave a lasting legacy for the host unions.
Team Manager Michael Old said: “Selection has been particularly tough this year as the quality of players making themselves available for the County Championship continues to improve but we are very pleased with the final line up. “Squad flexibility was a key consideration particularly in the specialist roles of prop, hooker and scrum half.
In the event of injury or illness we will not be able to fly replacements out so it was important to have experience across positions: props Jared Saunders and David Dickinson have played at hooker while hooker Joe Bonner can switch to prop, and Jack Smales, a wing/full back, has played regularly at scrum half.
The final team of Uganda and Kenyan players under the Elgon Warriors’ tag will be named after a trial game on June 2 in Nairobi. Forwards Rob Baldwin (Wharfedale & Yorkshire) Joe Bonner (Blackheath & Kent) Richard Boyle (Newcastle Falcons & Northumberland) James Cleverly (Blackheath & Kent) David Dickinson (Tynedale & Northumberland) Billy Johnson (Unattached & Hertfordshire) James Lindfield (Westcombe Park & Kent) Dave Marwick (Stockport & Cheshire) Louis McGowan (Sedgley Park & Lancashire) Ben Pons (Moseley & North Mids) Gareth Rawlings (Fylde & Lancashire) Jared Saunders (Saracens & Hertfordshire) Craig Voisey^ (Moseley & North Mids) Sam Wilkes (Cinderford & Gloucestershire)
Backs Chris Briers (Fylde & Lancashire) Will Burton (Luctonians & North Mids) Phil Chesters (Ealing & Devon) Steve Hamilton^ (Unattached and Yorkshire) Peter Hodgkinson (Ealing & Cheshire) Toby Howley-Berridge (Unattached & Eastern Counties) Stefan Liebenberg (Bedford & Hertfordshire) Harry Peck (Tynedale & Northumberland) Jack Smales (Nevers & Northumberland) Rory Teague (Cinderford & Gloucestershire) Tom Wheatcroft* (Ealing & Warwickshire) Jim Wigglesworth (Hull & Yorkshire).
Stand by players to be called upon in the event of injury before departure: Rob Schillachi (Hertford & Hertfordshire); Jamie Salter (Launceton & Cornwall); Chris Wearmouth (Blaydon & Durham); Gavin Jones (Blaydon & Yorkshire); Philip Woodhead (Wharfedale & Yorkshire); Tyson Lewis (Plymouth & Devon).
Match schedule Game 1: v Uganda in Kampala – Tuesday 5th June Game 2: v East Africa in Kampala – Saturday 9th June Game 3: v East Africa Invitation XV in Nairobi – Saturday 16th June.
