Clark and Myler named in England Elite Player Squad

Stephen Myler and Calum Clark are among the Saints contingent to have been named in England’s EPS squad.
ENGLAND CALL - Saints forward Calum ClarkENGLAND CALL - Saints forward Calum Clark
ENGLAND CALL - Saints forward Calum Clark

Myler and Clark join Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood, Lee Dickson and Luther Burrell in the 33-man group for the four-Test autumn international series.

The amount of Saints representation is a reward for the club’s recent success, with Jim Mallinder’s men having claimed an Aviva Premiership and Amlin Challenge Cup double last season.

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Myler, who has one England cap to his name, was man of the match in both of those finals and has long been one of the most assured fly-halves in England’s top division.

Clark’s consistency has been one of the staple features of the Saints side, with the back row forward labelled a ‘warrior’ by team-mate Wood this week.

The former Leeds Carnegie flanker will now hope to seize his chance, having been called up on three previous occasions but not won a cap.

There is no place in the squad for the likes of Danny Cipriani or former Saints winger Chris Ashton, while Saints full-back Ben Foden also misses out.

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England will play four matches at Twickenham next month, with the Test against New Zealand on November 8 followed by games against Australia, Samoa and South Africa.

Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “The first six rounds of the Premiership and opening round of European action have given us plenty to think about as coaches with a lot of players putting their hand up for selection and we are excited by the options available to us.

“We are still monitoring a number of players injury-wise and with another intensive round of European games to come, including the Wasps-Harlequins and Sale-Clermont games on Sunday, there are likely to be additions to the squad after the weekend as we move into the training camp and towards the games - so there is plenty to be decided before the New Zealand match comes around.

“We have four quality sides coming to Twickenham for this QBE Internationals series and we are really looking forward to playing at home in front of our passionate supporters as we continue the build up to the World Cup in 12 months’ time.”

England EPS squad: England Senior Squad (33)

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Loose-head props: Joe Marler (Harlequins), Matt Mullan (Wasps)

Tight-head props: Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons), David Wilson (Bath Rugby)

Hookers: Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Rob Webber (Bath Rugby)

Locks: Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)

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Back rows: Calum Clark (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, captain), Billy Vunipola (Saracens),

Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

Scrum halves: Danny Care (Harlequins), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Fly halves: Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath Rugby), Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints)

Centres: Brad Barritt (Saracens), Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)

Back threes: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Alex Goode (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby), Marland Yarde (Harlequins)