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Former M?ori All Black Max Hicks has been named in the 30-man squad England Training team ahead of Friday’s meeting with Argentina XV at The Rec.
The Newcastle Red Bulls The hybrid flanker/lock is one of six players included in Mark Mapletoft’s A line-up for the first time, alongside Lucas Friday, Alex O’Driscoll, James Pater, Will Knight and Will Trenholm.
New Zealand-born Hicks joined Newcastle from Perpignan during the summer and qualifies for England through his Cornish mother. Ex Highlanders the striker has since established himself in the Red Bulls pack during his first Gallagher PREM campaign.
Bristol Bears back-row Fitz Harding will captain the side for a second time after leading the way England A to a 29-25 victory Spain last year.
Mapletoft were also able to call up eight senior England internationals in Jamie Blamire, Charlie Atkinson, Noah Caluori, Joe Carpenter, George Kloska, Luke Northmore, Max Ojomoh and Ethan Roots.
Blamire is the most experienced in that group with seven test matches, while Exeter Chiefs Roots has four in the back row. Caluori, Kloska, Northmore and Ojomoh each have two, and Atkinson and Carpenter each played one.
Current England U20 players Pater and Knight were also selected, while recent graduates Caluori and Friday continue their progress through the lane.
In total, 19 members of the squad have previously represented England at U18 or U20 level.
England A face Argentina XV at The Rec on Friday, November 6, starting at 7:45 p.m.
England Training Team
Strikers: Ben Bamber, Joe Batley, Jamie Blamire, Afolabi Fasogbon, Fitz Harding (c), Max Hicks, Will Hobson, Nathan Jibulu, Jack Keningham, George Kloska, Tom Lockett, Alex O’Driscoll, Sam Riley, Ethan Roots, Will Trenholm, Archie van der Flier.
back: Charlie Atkinson, Orlando Bailey, Noah Caluori, Joe Carpenter, Tobias Elliott, Caolan Englefield, Lucas Friday, George Hendy, Will Knight, Luke Northmore, Max Ojomoh, James Pater, Billy Searle, Will Wand.
