Handful of West Country stars to face France in Six Nations opener

The England team selected to face France in Paris on Sunday (February 2) is full of West Country talent.

Two Bath stars have been selected to start the eagerly anticipated contest - England's first competitive outing since losing the World Cup final.

Second row forward Charlie Ewels, 24, will make his full senior bow in the competition as head coach Eddie Jones starts to reshape his team.

And Ewels is joined in the forwards by Rec teammate Sam Underhill, who shone for his country at the recent World Cup in Japan.

A dejected Sam Underhill looks on after losing the Rugby World Cup final. Credit: PA

The Bath Rugby connection does not end there.

Jonathan Joseph, takes up his familiar place on the bench among the game's 'finishers' and tight-head prop Will Stuart could also make his debut in an England shirt.

Exeter Chiefs pair Luke Cowan-Dickie and Ollie Devoto, Gloucester scrum-half Willi Heinz, plus Bristol born Ellis Genge and Swindon's Jonny May, have all made it into the match-day 23.

Bath's Will Stuart during the Under 20s World Cup Credit: PA