SAXONS RECALL ABENDANON AND JOHNSON

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Created on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 12:25

Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 12:38

Published on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 12:25

Bath’s Nick Abendanon and Exeter Chiefs forward Tom Johnson return for England Saxons against Scotland A at Galashiels on Friday night (1930).

Abendanon – who this week signed for a further three years at Bath – starts at full back while Gloucester’s Jonny May starts on the wing with club mate Nick Wood at prop.

The major positional talking point is in the back row where Johnson – a popular second-half replacement on his home ground last weekend – appears at No.8 at this level for the first time with Saxons coach Jon Callard’s enthusiastic backing.

Callard said: “Tom’s versatility is a major strength and his great leadership qualities will be a big asset. He wants to play anywhere and he’ll bring lots of energy to the position.”

Pass it on: TJ starts at 8 (image pinnacle)

Saxons starters

15 Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby)
14 Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
13 Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)
12 Billy Twelvetrees (Leicester Tigers)
11 Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
10 Ryan Lamb (Northampton Saints)
9 Ben Spencer (Saracens)

1 Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby)
2 Chris Brooker (Harlequins)
3 Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton Saints)
4 Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)
5 George Robson (Harlequins)
6 James Gaskell (Sale Sharks, captain)
7 Andy Saull (Saracens)
8 Tom Johnson (Exeter)

Replacements
16 Joe Gray (Harlequins)
17 Rupert Harden (Gloucester Rugby)
18 Kearnan Myall (Sale Sharks)
19 David Seymour (Sale Sharks)
20 Paul Hodgson (London Irish)
21 Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
22 Miles Benjamin (Worcester Warriors)

Bath Rugby prop Kane Palma-Newport, 21, will travel to Scotland with the squad as cover

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