There are eight capped players in the 38-man squad, including World Cup winner Iain Balshaw and James Haskell and Shane Geraghty, who both made their debuts during the Six Nations. 

"The England Saxons squad is very important to the success of England Rugby, especially this year with the Rugby World Cup only four months away," said coach Jim Mallinder. “It’s great to have so much talent to pick from.  I’m pleased to see a lot of players making the step up from age group rugby, it’s proof that the academy system is working.

“Dorian West and I have had very clear direction from Brian Ashton on our goals and selection policy.  The Barclays Churchill Cup gives all of us an opportunity to see those players who we need more information on before the World Cup squad is picked.

“That said, it’s important that we get the balance of experience and youth right to give the players the best possible chance to succeed.  This is a very competitive tournament, quite a few of the players have first hand experience of just how tough it’s going to be. 

“But the fact that we’ll face some strong international opposition teams makes it a great development tool for the players.  It’s in situations like this that you learn which players are ready to take the next step.”

The squad includes 14 players with previous Churchill Cup experience and seven who were involved in this year’s England Saxons victories over Six Nations opponents Italy A (34-5) and Ireland A (32-5).

England Saxons play the first of their two pool games against the USA on Friday 18 May at Sale Sharks’ Edgeley Park (Stockport), kick off 7.45pm.  Tickets priced £33/27/22 (£20/15 for concessions) are available from the Sale Sharks ticket office on 08712 220 120 or www.salesharks.com.

England then face Scotland 'A' at Twickenham Stadium on Monday 28 May, kick off 3pm.  Tickets for under 16s are only £1, with adult tickets available from £10 from www.ticketmaster.co.uk or 0870 902 0000.

The finals day is being staged at Twickenham on Saturday 2 June, where all six teams (England Saxons, New Zealand Maori, Ireland A, Scotland A, USA and Canada) will all be in action in three back to back games.  Tickets are available from Ticketmaster priced from £20 for adults and £10 for under 16s.

England Saxons squad
Forwards
Richard Blaze (Worcester Warriors)
Chris Brooker (NEC Harlequins from 1 July 2007)
John Brooks (Northampton Saints)
Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers)
Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
Phil Dowson (Newcastle Falcons)
Jim Evans (NEC Harlequins)
Jack Forster (Gloucester Rugby)
James Haskell (London Wasps)*
Neal Hatley (London Irish)
Nick Kennedy (London Irish)
Michael Lipman (Bath Rugby)*
Tom Mercey (Saracens)
David Paice (London Irish)
Kieran Roche (London Irish)
David Seymour (Saracens)
Will Skinner (NEC Harlequins)
Ben Skirving (Saracens)
Matt Thompson (Newcastle Falcons)
Ben Woods (Newcastle Falcons)

Backs
Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby)
Delon Armitage (London Irish)
Iain Balshaw (Gloucester Rugby)*
Olly Barkley (Bath Rugby)*
Danny Cipriani (London Wasps)
Lee Dickson (Newcastle Falcons)
Paul Diggin (Northampton Saints)
Ayoola Erinle (London Wasps)
Shane Geraghty (London Irish)*
Adrian Jarvis (NEC Harlequins)
Ryan Lamb (Gloucester Rugby)
Nils Mordt (London Irish)
Topsy Ojo (London Irish)
Paul Sackey (London Wasps)*
Dan Scarbrough (Saracens)*
Kevin Sorrell (Saracens)
Tom Voyce (London Wasps)*
Richard Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks)

* denotes capped players