FORMER Wootton Bassett Colt Karl Brant has been named as a reserve for the England 18 Group squad.

Brant, now with the Bristol Shoguns Academy and Dorset & Wilts, and North Dorset's Peter Murchie, another Dorset & Wilts player, helped the South West to a first-ever national championship victory when defeating Midlands in the final at Castlecroft last weekend.

Murchie has been included in the England squad, who open their international series against France at Bondoufle on February 28.

England will also compete in the Four Home Unions Festival in Belfast (April 7-17).

Dorset & Wilts Under 20s, meanwhile, play their final warm-up game against Hampshire at Southampton on Sunday week, January 18, ahead of their upcoming County Championship campaign.

The championship kicks off with a home game against Oxfordshire at Swanage & Wareham on February 15, with further encounters against the RAF at RAF Halton (February 29), Buckinghamshire at Bournemouth (March 14) and Berkshire at Berkshire Shire Hall (March 28).

Chippenham will host a senior County Championship match this season, with Buckinghamshire the visitors on May 1.

Dorset & Wilts open their campaign against Kent at Chatham on April 24 and also face Eastern Counties at Dorchester on May 8.

Their next warm-up game comes against Bristol University at Salisbury on Wednesday, January 21 (7.30pm).