ENGLAND COUNTIES XV Bolt set for French bow

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Created on Tuesday, 21 January 2014 10:27

Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 January 2014 19:05

Published on Tuesday, 21 January 2014 10:28

Exmouth RFC scrum half Richard Bolt is among eight newcomers included in the England Counties squad for a Friday January 31 international against France Federale XV at Nevers (2000).

The squad - which still has two places to be filled - also includes 27-year-old Cinderford centre Jack Adams and popular Cornish All Blacks and Cornwall forward Ben Hilton, who skippers both club and county.

Adams, who played for hometown Gloucester, and Hilton are among 13 players with previous Counties XV experience including four who played in last season’s victory over France Federale at Ealing and eight who played in the 57-5 win over Belgium in the Counties'  last match in June.

The uncapped players in a squad that includes 13 players from National League One clubs and four each from clubs in National Leagues Two North and South are Jamal Ford-Robinson, Johnny Matthews, Alex Penney, Pierce Phillips, Robbie Stapley, Cameron Mitchell, Kiba Richards and former Bristol, Exeter and Cornish Pirates no 9 Bolt.

Steve Pope steps up from assistant coach to be the Counties XV head coach assisted by Plymouth Albion player/coach James Shanahan.

The Counties XV will also play Ireland Clubs XV at the Northern Echo Arena, home of Darlington Mowden Park on February 21 (7.30pm).

“These fixtures come in the middle of a critical part of the league season for National Leagues clubs and many clubs are carrying extensive injury lists,” Old said.

“There has been strong communication with the clubs who have been hugely supportive to their players to give them an opportunity to represent their country in these fixtures.”

England Counties 2014 squad - Backs

Jack Adams (Cinderford RFC) Richard Bolt (Exmouth RFC) Chris Briers (Fylde) Chris Johnson (Fylde)  Cameron Mitchell (Darlington Mowden Park) Kiba Richards (Worthing) Sean Taylor (Preston Grasshoppers) Jim Wigglesworth (Cambridge)

Forwards

Rob Baldwn (Wharfedale – captain) Jamal Ford-Robinson (Cambridge) Ben Hilton (Cornish All Blacks RFC) Robbie Kalbriaer (Blaydon) Alex MacKenzie (Rosslyn Park) Brett McNamee (Old Albanians) Johnny Matthews (Sedgley Park) Alex Penney (Henley) Pierce Phillips (Darlington Mowden Park) Sam Shires (Rosslyn Park) Robbie Stapley (Henley) Tom Stradwick (Blackheath) Chris Wearmouth (Blaydon)

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