THREE North Midlands players have been included in the England 18-Group Clubs rugby union squad who are preparing for the annual Home Unions Festival in Edinburgh in April.

Worcester Academy hooker Mitchell Hulme has been appointed captain of the squad which also includes Moseley lock Richard Blaze and Old Satleians winger Nathan Burchell, who is also a member of the Worcester Academy.

All three helped the Midlands win the Divisional Festival in Wolverhampton in January and they played for England in their defeat by the Leeds Tykes Academy at Roundhay on February 23.

England play the England 18-Group Schools at Broadstreet RFC, Coventry on Sunday, March 16 (11am) as a warm-up to the Home Unions Festival in Edinburgh area from April 16 to 25.