Worcester Warriors lock Graham Kitchener will make his England Saxons debut after Head Coach Stuart Lancaster named him and Tom Wood in a strong side to face Russia on Wednesday (kick off 3.00pm, local BST -7) in their opening match of the Churchill Cup.
Captained by Northampton's Phil Dowson the front row sees Duncan Bell (Bath Rugby) return to international action alongside Rob Vickers (Newcastle Falcons), with a second row pairing of Kitchener (Worcester Warriors) and George Skivington (London Wasps).
In the backs Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints) starts at fly half with Micky Young (Newcastle Falcons) at scrum half. Jon Clarke (Northampton Saints) starts in the centre with an international pairing of James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester Rugby) and Tom Varndell (London Wasps) on the wings.
Alex Goode takes his place on the bench with promising youngsters Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby) and Alex Corbiserio (London Irish).
Lancaster said, “We are all looking forward to the game against Russia on Wednesday. The players have trained well and the whole squad is prepared for a tough week with two games in quick succession.
“Russia performed really well against USA and I am sure they will present a challenge, which we will not be taking lightly.”
England Saxons squad to face Russia:
15 Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby)
14 James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester Rugby)
13 Jon Clarke (Northampton Saints)
12 Anthony Allen (Leicester Tigers)
11 Tom Varndell (London Wasps)
10 Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints)
9 Micky Young (Newcastle Falcons)
1 Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby)
2 Rob Vickers (Newcastle Falcons)
3 Duncan Bell (Bath Rugby)
4 Graham Kitchener (Worcester Warriors)*
5 George Skivington (London Wasps)
6 Tom Wood (Worcester Warriors)
7 Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)
8 Luke Narraway (Gloucester Rugby)
Replacements
16 Andy Titterrell (Leeds Carnegie)
17 Alex Corbiserio (London Irish)*
18 Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby)
19 Kearnan Myall (Leeds Carnegie)
20 Andy Saull (Saracens)
21 Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)
22 Alex Goode (Saracens)
*Uncapped for England Saxons
The England Saxons face Russia on June 9 and hosts USA on June 13 in Denver, before heading to New Jersey for the finals day on June 19.
England Saxons 2010 Churchill Cup fixtures:
Wednesday, June 9
Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado
England Saxons v Russia (kick off 3.00pm, local time, BST-7)
Sunday, June 13
Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado
USA v England Saxons (kick off 1.00pm, local time, BST-7)
Saturday, June 19
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
Finals Day triple header (kick off TBC)