FOUR months ago, Sam Wilkes was critically ill in hospital, lying in a bed in intensive care.

This Friday, the Cinderford hooker will complete his sensational comeback by pulling on an England shirt to take on the Irish.

Sam received a late call-up this week to join the England Counties squad to play the Ireland Clubs XV at Preston Grasshoppers RFC.

Sam has been drafted in to the squad because of an injury to Rosslyn Park's Dan Richmond. He said: "I'm over the moon, it's a really nice surprise."

See this week's Forester for full story