England Saxons pick Exeter Chiefs pair for first game

Exeter Chiefs number eight Dave Ewers and centre Sam Hill have been picked to start for England Saxons in Saturday's game against Ireland Wolfhounds.

The Chiefs pair are joined in the match-day day squad by team-mates Henry Slade and Dave Lewis, who will start on the bench.

The Saxons have drafted Bath youngster Anthony Watson into their side from the senior England Six Nations squad.

Northampton flanker Calum Clark will captain the side.

"Calum has been a positive influence from the moment he arrived in camp, he commands the respect of the group and I'm sure he will lead from the front," said Joe Lydon, the Rugby Football Union's head of international player development.

"Freddie Burns has also made an outstanding contribution in the time he's been with us and he will be vice-captain at Kingsholm."

The Chiefs also have two players - winger Jack Nowell and flanker Tom Johnson - in England's Six Nations squad.

England Saxons side to face Ireland Wolfhounds: Elliot Daly (Wasps); Anthony Watson (Bath), Matt Hopper (Harlequins), Sam Hill (Exeter), Charlie Sharples (Gloucester); Freddie Burns (Gloucester), Joe Simpson (Wasps); Alex Waller (Northampton), Jamie George (Saracens), Tom Mercey (Northampton), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), George Kruis (Saracens), Calum Clark (Northampton, capt), Luke Wallace (Harlequins), Dave Ewers (Exeter)

Replacements: Dave Ward (Harlequins), Nathan Catt (Bath), Scott Wilson (Newcastle), Elliott Stooke (Gloucester), Sam Dickinson (Northampton), Dave Lewis (Exeter), Henry Slade (Exeter), Rob Miller (Sale)