Bates mixes the Saxons up

England Saxons head coach Steve Bates has named a much-changed squad for Saturday's clash with Italy A in Sicily.

England Saxons head coach Steve Bates has named a much-changed squad for Saturday's clash with Italy A in Sicily.

Newcastle scrum-half Lee Dickson and London Irish back Shane Geraghty have been promoted from Saxons duty to join England's Six Nations training squad.

Guinness Premiership commitments, meanwhile, and injuries have also combined to affect selection.

Newcomers include Bayonne lock Andrew Springgay, Leeds wing Tom Biggs and Bristol second-row forward David Attwood.

The Saxons defeated Ireland A 31-13 at Leicester on Friday and will be hoping to make it two from two when they take on Italy A

Saxons:

Backs: Nick Abendanon (Bath), Delon Armitage (London Irish), Tom Biggs (Leeds Carnegie), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Alex Crockett (Bath), James Grindal (Newcastle), Paul Hodgson (London Irish), Adrian Jarvis (Harlequins), Topsy Ojo (London Irish), John Rudd (Newcastle).

Forwards: David Attwood (Bristol), Alex Clarke (Bristol), Phil Dowson (Newcastle), Tom Guest (Harlequins), Jason Hobson (Bristol), Nick Kennedy (London Irish), Andy Long (Newcastle), David Paice (London Irish), Peter Short (Bath), Andrew Springgay (Bayonne), Will Skinner (Harlequins), David Wilson (Newcastle), Ben Woods (Newcastle).