CINDERFORD duo Sam Wilkes and Rory Teague have both been named in a 26-man England Counties squad to tour Uganda and Kenya next month.

The squad will assemble on June 1 for a 17-day trip that incorporates the largest tour outreach programme ever undertaken by an England Counties team.

The England squad – made up of the best semi-pro players in the land – will play both Uganda and a combined East Africa side in Kampala before taking on the challenge of an East African Invitation XV in Nairobi.

Team Manager Michael Old said: "Selection has been particularly tough this year as the quality of players making themselves available for the County Championship continues to improve, but we are very pleased with the final line-up.

"Squad flexibility was a key consideration, particularly in the specialist roles of prop, hooker and scrum-half. "In the event of injury or illness we will not be able to fly replacements out so it was important to have experience across positions."