Kyran Bracken will captain England A in their opening Six Nations clash against France A at Northampton on 14 February.

The Saracens scrum-half, capped 41 times at senior level, will lead a 25-man squad announced by England boss Clive Woodward.

And it will give the 1997 Lion a chance to try and regain a place among England's elite, after dropping down the pecking order behind Matt Dawson and Andy Gomarsall.

"Kyran led England well on England's North America tour in 2001, and I'm sure that he will make the most of this opportunity," said Woodward.

Players taking part have an excellent opportunity to push for selection to the elite squad England coach Clive Woodward

The squad includes 11 players with senior England honours, but there is a sizeable uncapped contingent.

Among the new faces are Biarritz's former Richmond prop Maurice Fitzgerald, Sale Sharks wing Mark Cueto and Gloucester flanker Andy Hazell.

Fitzgerald, 26, earned his call up after impressing in Biarritz's Heineken Cup and French Championship campaigns.

There is a surprise call-up for Northampton's former England fly-half Paul Grayson.

The 31-year-old, who won the last of his 23 caps in England's 1999 World Cup defeat to South Africa in Paris, has been impressive for Saints this season.

Bath's Mike Catt may return after injury

Bath full-back Matt Perry and Leicester prop Graham Rowntree, both established internationals, also feature, along with the current batch of national academy squad intakes.

Several other players will hope to force themselves into Woodward's senior team thinking, notably Bath lock Steve Borthwick, Leicester back-row forward Martin Corry and Sale Sharks flanker Alex Sanderson.

"France A is a massive game, and the players taking part have an excellent opportunity to push for selection to the elite squad," said Woodward.

And he also offered encouragement to Bath's Mike Catt, whose hamstring injury severely restricted him before Christmas.

The 56 times-capped Catt has just started his comeback, and if he emerges unscathed from Bath's Zurich Premiership clash against Leicester, he will gain A squad selection.

Not considered through injury were Iain Balshaw, Austin Healey, Nick Duncombe, David Flatman, Michael Horak, Josh Lewsey and Trevor Woodman.

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England A squad:

Backs: M Perry (Bath), D Scarbrough (Leeds), M Garvey (Gloucester), M Cueto (Sale Sharks), O Smith (Leicester), F Waters (Wasps), K Sorrell (Saracens), B Johnston (Saracens), A King (Wasps), P Grayson (Northampton), K Bracken (Saracens, capt), N Walshe (Sale Sharks).

Forwards: G Rowntree (Leicester), M Worsley (London Irish), A Sheridan (Bristol Shoguns), R Morris (Northampton), M Fitzgerald (Biarritz), A Titterell (Sale Sharks), S Borthwick (Bath), C Jones (Sale Sharks), T Palmer (Leeds), M Corry (Leicester), A Hazell (Gloucester), A Sanderson (Sale Sharks), J Forrester (Gloucester).