England Counties captain Billy Johnson

There will be a new centre pairing of Seb Rodwell, who impressed as a replacement for the injured Luke Myring in the 37-3 win over Scotland Club XV at Fylde three weeks ago, and Blackheath’s Markus Burcham who starts ahead of Cameron Mitchell.

Blaydon’s Keith Laughlin comes into the second row in place of the unavailable Charlie McGowan of Worthing Raiders and Darren Fox of Peterborough Lions starts at openside in place of Fylde’s Evan Stewart who drops to the bench.

Old Albanians scrum-half Jack Daly is in line to make his England Counties debut having been named among the replacements.

Fylde’s Jordan Dorrington, who made a try-scoring debut off the bench against Scotland, is the man in a 24-strong squad who travelled to France who has not been named in the match squad.

England Counties, the flagship representative team of the community game in England, will be seeking to avenge a one point defeat by France Federale XV in Nevers last season in their final fixture before they embark on a two match tour of Romania in June.

England Counties XV

15 Mike Wilcox (Cinderford)

14 Will Hurrell (Coventry)

13 Markus Burcham (Blackheath)

12 Seb Rodwell (London Irish Wild Geese)

11 Ollie Brennand (Fylde)

10 Chris Johnson (Fylde)

9 Joe Bedford (Sandal)

1 Aston Croall (Blackheath)

2 Sam Wilkes (Cinderford)

3 Steve Johnson (Hull Ionians)

4 Keith Laughlin (Blaydon)

5 Ben Hilton (Launceston)

6 Billy Johnson (Old Albanians – captain)

7 Darren Fox (Peterborough Lions)

8 Gavin Jones (Blaydon).

Replacements: Matt Miles (Worthing Raiders), Robbie Kalbraier (Blaydon), Tom Harrison (Clifton), Chris Wearmouth (Blaydon), Evan Stewart (Fylde), Jack Daly (Old Albanians), Cameron Mitchell (Darlington Mowden Park), James Love (Ealing Trailfinders).

Travelling reserve: Jordan Dorrington (Fylde)

England Counties XV squad

Backs: Joe Bedford (Sandal), Jordan Dorrington (Fylde), Chris Johnson (Fylde), Mike Wilcox (Cinderford), Seb Rodwell (London Irish Wild Geese), Markus Burcham (Blackheath), Oli Brennand (Fylde), Will Hurrell (Coventry), James Love (Ealing Trailfinders), Cameron Mitchell (Darlington Mowden Park), Jack Daly (Old Albanians).

Forwards: Aston Croall (Blackheath) Robbie Kalbraier (Blayson), Steve Johnson (Hull Ionians), Tom Harrison (Clifton) Matt Miles (Worthing Raiders), Sam Wilkes (Cinderford), Keith Laughlin (Blaydon), Ben Hilton (Launceston), Chris Wearmouth (Blaydon), Billy Johnson (Old Albanians – captain),  Gavin Jones (Blaydon), Evan Stewart (Fylde), Darren Fox (Peterborough Lions).