McGowan to start for England Counties

WORTHING Raiders Rugby Club’s Charlie McGowan will start for the England Counties XV in their international against Scotland Club XV at Fylde tomorrow evening (7.30pm).

Lock McGowan is one of three new caps in the starting line-up, along with Flyde captain Evan Stewart and Blackheath prop Aston Croall.

There are four more uncapped players on the bench in prop Tom Harrison, who is on loan to Clifton from Plymouth Albion, Richmond back row forward Chris Davies, Fylde wing Jordan Dorrington and Ealing Trailfinders full back James Love.

England Counties XV, the flagship representative team for community rugby in England, will play France Federale XV at Perigeux on March 20 and will then play two matches in Romania on their summer tour in early June.

The starting line-up is: 15, Mike Wilcox (Cinderford); 14, Will Hurrell (Coventry); 13, Cameron Mitchell (Darlington Mowden Park); 12, Luke Myring (Coventry); 11, Oliver Brennand (Fylde); 10, Chris Johnson (Fylde); 9, Joe Bedford (Sandal); 1, Aston Croall (Blackheath); 2, Brett McNamee (Old Albanians); 3, Steve Johnson (Hull Ionians); 4, Charlie McGowan (Worthing Raiders); 5, Ben Hilton (Launceston); 6, Billy Johnson (Old Albanians – captain); 7, Evan Stewart (Fylde); 8, Gavin Jones (Blaydon).

Replacements: Sam Wilkes (Cinderford), Robbie Kalbraier (Blaydon), Tom Harrison (Clifton), Keith Laughlin (Blaydon), Chris Davies (Richmond), Jordan Dorrington (Fylde), Sebastoan Rodwell (London Irish Wild Geese), James Love (Ealing Trailfinders).