West has 16 England caps

Leicester hooker Dorian West takes over as England 'A' captain for Friday's international against France.

West, who has won 16 England caps, takes over from injured skipper Kyran Bracken.

Bracken misses the game after suffering concussion during Saracens' Zurich Premiership game against Gloucester last week.

West is one of eight senior internationals who will be involved in Friday's game.

Josh Lewsey, Ben Johnston, Steve Borthwick, Tom Palmer, Alex Sanderson, Joe Worsley and Paul Grayson are the others.

Much interest will surround two talented youngsters - Leicester centre Ollie Smith and Gloucester wing Marcel Garvey.

"We have selected a very strong group of players for what will be a very tough opening game," said England coach Joe Lydon.

"I am delighted that Dorian West has been appointed captain. He's been outstanding for club and country, and thoroughly deserves the honour.

"All the players have been picked on merit, and it's good to welcome back Paul Grayson, who has been in excellent for Northampton Saints this season."

Newcastle centre Jamie Noon has been called onto the bench to replace Wasps' Fraser Waters, who is resting a shoulder injury sustained on club duty.

Leeds' Mike Shelley has also been confirmed as the prop replacement.

Meanwhile, Saracens full-back Adryan Winnan and Bath flanker James Scaysbrook are among several players with Zurich Premiership experience named in England's Under-21 squad for their international against France at Newbury on Friday.

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England A team to play France:
J Lewsey (Wasps); D Scarbrough (Leeds), O Smith (Leicester), B Johnston (Saracens), M Garvey (Gloucester); P Grayson (Northampton), N Walshe (Sale Sharks); M Worsley (London Irish), D West (Leicester, capt), R Morris (Northampton), S Borthwick (Bath), T Palmer (Leeds), A Sanderson (Sale Sharks), A Hazell (Gloucester), J Worsley (Wasps).
Replacements: A Titterrell (Sale Sharks), M Shelley (Leeds), C Jones (Sale Sharks), M Corry (Leicester), M Wood (Wasps), A King (Wasps), J Noon (Newcastle).

England U21 team:
Adryan Winnan (Saracens), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), Chris Hyndman (Northampton), Danny Hipkiss (Leicester), John Holtby (Leicester), Warren Spragg (Sale), Clive Stuart-Smith (Gloucester), Peter Cook (Leicester), Andrew Kyriacou (Sale), Matthew Stevens (Bath), James Hamilton (Leicester), Christian Day (Sale), Ben Woods (Newcastle), James Scaysbrook (Bath), Benjamin Russell (Saracens), Chris Rowland (Bristol), Michael Holford (Leicester), Jonathan Pendlebury (Bath), Ryan Peacey (Saracens), Paul Hodgson (Bristol), Andrew Frost (Gloucester), Spencer Davey (Bath).