Redruth's Sam Heard is selected for England Counties

Heard signed for Redruth after three years with Cornish Pirates

Redruth prop Sam Heard has been called up to the England Counties squad ahead of their forthcoming games against France Amateurs and an Ireland Club XV.

The 26-year-old, who joined the Reds from the Cornish Pirates in May, is the only South West player to have been selected in the initial 30-man squad.

England Counties start their spring schedule against Ireland on 26 February, then play France on 19 March.

The 30-man squad will be reduced to 22 at the final selection on 16 January.

National One leaders Esher are the best-represented team in the squad, with five of their players called up.

England Counties XV squad: John Williams (Tynedale), Matt Johnson (London Scottish), Sam Heard (Redruth), Tom Warren (Esher), Joe Graham (Tynedale), Ben Gerry (Stourbridge), James Inglis (Esher), Matt Owen (Macclesfield), Tom Bason (Blackheath), Ben Harris (Huddersfield), Dan Legge (Cambridge), Nick Sharpe (Huddersfield), Darren Fox (Cambridge), Alex Nash (Rugby), Sam Stitcher (Esher), Tom Powell (Cambridge), Tom Richardson (Stourbridge), Luke Baldwin (Blackheath), James Brown (London Scottish), Ross Laidlaw (Rosslyn Park), David Howells (London Scottish), Steve Parsons (Harrogate), Seb Jewell (Esher), Matt Riley (Sedgley Park), Jack Harrison (Tynedale), Kyle Dench (Harrogate), Sam Ulph (Esher), Rob Kitching (Hull), Frankie Neale (London Scottish), Peter Hodgkinson (Ealing)