England U21 pick for Wales

England's National Academy coach Jim Mallinder has confirmed the Under-21 squad for the opening Six Nations match against Wales at Worcester on February 3.

The 24-man party, which will be cut to 22 in match week, includes eight players from last year's U21 Six Nations squad and many from the 2005 Grand Slam winning England U19 team.

"The squad is a great mix of growing experience and exciting youth," said Mallinder.

"We're already seeing in training and in the Guinness Premiership that the guys who were involved with us last year have matured and developed from their experiences and we expect to see exactly the same happening with the younger ones through the season."

"This tournament is an important opportunity for these players to show what they can do outside their club environment and to take in the international arena."

England U21 squad to face Wales:

Forwards: Richard Blaze (Worcester Warriors), Neil Briggs (Sale Sharks), Chris Brooker (Bath), Jordan Crane (Leeds Tykes), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (London Wasps), Michael Hills (Sale Sharks), Mark Lambert (NEC Harlequins), Chris Robshaw (NEC Harlequins), Alex Rogers (NEC Harlequins), Tom Ryder (Saracens), David Wilson (Newcastle Falcons),

Backs: Anthony Allen (Gloucester), Mike Brown (NEC Harlequins), Matt Cornwell (Leicester Tigers), Thom Evans (London Wasps), Ben Foden (Sale Sharks), Toby Flood (Newcastle Falcons), James Hoyle (Newcastle Falcons), Ryan Lamb (Gloucester), Olly Morgan (Gloucester), Nick Runciman (Worcester), Rob Vickerman (Leeds Tykes).