Cup winners get Saxons call

Four of Wasps' European heroes have been called into the England Saxons squad for the Barclays Churchill Cup clash with Scotland A. [more]

Lions Australia Tour 2013

Four of Wasps’ European heroes have been called into the England Saxons squad for the Barclays Churchill Cup clash with Scotland A.

Tom Voyce, Paul Sackey, Danny Cipriani and James Haskell all starred in Wasps’ 25-9 Heineken Cup final victory over Leicester at Twickenham.

And they are in line for a return to HQ to face the Scots on Bank Holiday Monday after being included in Jim Mallinder’s 28-man training squad.

But World Cup prospect Shane Geraghty has been released back to London Irish after suffering a hamstring injury in the 51-3 victory over America and will play no further part in the tournament.

"Although Shane’s injury was just a tweak, we’ve decided not to risk him, instead giving him plenty of time to give him the best possible chance of contending for a place in Brian Ashton’s Rugby World Cup training squad," said Mallinder.

Also included in the squad are Leicester-bound centre Ayoola Erinle, Tigers lock Tom Croft and Bath duo Nick Abendanon and Olly Barkley, who played in Saturday’s European Challenge Cup final defeat to Clermont Auvergne.

"Although I was very pleased with the way our backline went against the USA we’ve decided to bring in some of the more experienced players who were involved in Europe this weekend, and after watching the games I’m very excited to be working with such an exciting group of backs," said Mallinder.

"Our pack, particularly our front five, were excellent on Friday, but the addition of Haskell and Croft further strengthen things for us. Both players have had very good seasons with their clubs."

Fly-half Ryan Lamb has returned to Gloucester as part of a pre-existing agreement with the club.

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