VIDEO - England Senior EPS and Saxons EPS announcements

• Uncapped pair Hape and Ashton called up to Senior EPS
• Armitage, Easter, Flutey, Flood all return to Martin Johnson's squad

The January 2010 England Senior EPS and Saxons EPS squads have been announced today by England Team Manager Martin Johnson and England Saxons Head Coach Stuart Lancaster.

Steve Thompson (CA Brive), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), the uncapped Shontayne Hape (Bath Rugby) and Ben Foden (Northampton Saints) have all been included in the England Senior Elite Player Squad announced today.

The Senior EPS also includes the return from injury of a number of players including Lee Mears (Bath Rugby), Nick Easter (Harlequins), Delon Armitage (London Irish), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers) and Riki Flutey (CA Brive).

Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints) has been added to the squad from the Saxons as an injury replacement for Phil Vickery (London Wasps).

Final decisions and replacements, if required, for Senior EPS Players Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks) and Julian White (Leicester Tigers) will be made on January 25.

There are also injury concerns within the England Senior EPS regarding Mike Tindall (Gloucester Rugby) and Joe Worsley (London Wasps) and both players will continue to be monitored by the England and their respective club medical teams.

England play Wales in the opening round of the 2010 RBS 6 Nations on February 6, almost 100 years to the day since they first met at Twickenham Stadium when England won 11-6 in 1910. A number of special events and activities will be held on match day to commemorate the Centenary of Twickenham Stadium and details will be announced in due course. Details of the Twickenham Stadium Centenary season can be found on rfu.com.

England Senior EPS Squad

England Saxons EPS Squad

Photo: Getty Images

Two more backs will also be named in the Saxons on January 25, one to replace Chris Ashton who has been included in the Senior EPS.

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers) has been added to the Saxons as a replacement for the injured Joe Simpson (London Wasps).

Final decisions on replacements for the injured Tom Rees (London Wasps) and Alex Corbisiero (London Irish) will also be made on January 25.

Tickets for the England Saxons v Ireland 'A' game at Bath Rugby's Recreation Ground on Sunday, January 31 (kick off 2.30pm) are available priced £17 for adults and £7 for children by calling 0844 448 1865 or by contacting Ticketmaster. England Saxons play Italy 'A' in Treviso, Italy on Sunday February 7 (kick off 1.30pm local time).