Sam Heard makes the final England Counties squad

Heard signed for Redruth after three years with Cornish Pirates

Redruth prop Sam Heard has made it through to the final England Counties squad for their 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 21-man squad.

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

Heard was selected in an initial 30-man squad at the start of January

England Counties XV squad: John Williams (Tynedale), Sam Heard (Redruth), Joe Graham (Tynedale), Ben Gerry (Stourbridge), James Inglis (Esher), Matt Owen (Macclesfield), Ben Harris (Huddersfield), Dan Legge (Cambridge), Darren Fox (Cambridge), Sam Stitcher (Esher), Tom Powell (Cambridge), Tom Richardson (Stourbridge), Luke Baldwin (Blackheath), James Brown (London Scottish), David Howells (London Scottish), Steve Parsons (Harrogate), Seb Jewell (Esher), Matt Riley (Sedgley Park), Jack Harrison (Tynedale), Sam Ulph (Esher), Frankie Neale (London Scottish).