BEN Morgan and Dave Attwood have been named in England’s initial 30-man squad to tour New Zealand.

Former Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School pupil Morgan and ex-Frampton Cotterell youth player Attwood fly out tomorrow and both have strong chances of starting at No 8 and lock respectively in the first Test in Auckland on Saturday, June 7 with players from Aviva Premiership finalists Saracens and Northampton joining the squad a week later.

Charlie Sharples, who played youth rugby with Gloucester team-mate Morgan at Dursley, has been named in a 24-man squad to face the Barbarians on Sunday, June 1 at Twickenham and could still press his claims to fly out with the second group of players to New Zealand next week.

“We are excited about the squad we are taking to New Zealand and, while there continues to be challenges in selection, we will be well and truly ready for the first test,” said England head coach Stuart Lancaster.

“It has a been good few days training and great to be able to work with a larger group of players in the lead up to the Barbarians game and the tour.”

England play three tests in New Zealand and will also play Crusaders in a tour game.