By Duncan Wood
September 5 2002

Congratulations to Julian White and Phil Christophers who have been named in the 'elite' training squad for training next week. The squad of 50 will begin preparations for England's autumn internationals.

Julian will obviously be placed to regain his place having had to miss the summer tour to Argentina due to ankle surgery. He made the starting lineup against Saracens despite having missed most of the preseason and will now be looking to build up his match fitness.

Phil Christophers, of course, did go on the summer tour and marked his full England debut with a sensational try in second half. This happened only weeks after he made his England debut in the non cap international versus the Barbarians at Twickenham (when he scored two tries) and capped a dream first season in England for him.

The squad of 50 players will be meeting up at Penny Hill Park on September 9th and 10th for an 'elite' training session before the squad will be reduced to 22 players who will face New Zealand, South Africa and Australia in the Autumn international series.