FORMER Otley RU trio Steve Parsons (Harrogate), Kyle Dench (Harrogate) and Rob Kitching (Hull) have been aclled up for the England Counties squad, the representative flagship of the Community Game in England.

They are named in a squad of 30 players for the two Spring internationals at an Ireland Club XV and France Amateurs.

With players drawn from 15 different clubs from Tynedale in the North to Redruth in the South West and all ports in between, the squad maintains the tradition which has been in place since the team was formed in 2002.

With 20 newcomers to the England Counties scene ,and only six members of the squad that returned unbeaten from a tour to Korea and Japan last year, the squad also fulfils its role as a player development vehicle and underlines the diligent work that has been put in since the start of the season by the selection panel.

“Given the recent weather, the decision to start our scouting programme right at the start of the season has proved very wise,” said team manager Danny Hodgson.

“We have liaised closely with the Directors of Rugby across the country and had great support and co-operation from them. Every club has been watched and recommended players carefully monitored.

The final selection process for the game against the Ireland Club XV will take place on Saturday, when the squad will be cut to 22.