WORCESTER'S Kai Horstmann will start for England Saxons as they begin their Barclays Churchill Cup defence against Scotland in Canada on Saturday.

The versatile back-rower was only called up on Monday as a replacement for the injured James Forrester but goes straight into the team at number eight.

Head coach Jon Callard said: "The back-row was the toughest call of all, especially leaving out Kieran Roche, who has had an exceptional season, but I think we have got the balance of the pack right for this particular game."

The side will be led by London Irish scrum-half Paul Hodgson at York Stadium, Toronto.

"Paul is a natural captain," said Callard. "He leads from the front and is competitive, communicative and committed.

"He is coming off the back of a good season, his confidence is high and it's right that we should utilise that enthusiasm."

Meanwhile, Worcester hold a press conference at lunchtime today when they are expected to announce details of ground developments at Sixways and a new sponsorship deal.

England Saxons: Horak (London Irish); Armitage (London Irish), Johnston (Saracens), Vesty (Leicester), Erinle, (London Wasps); Walder (Newcastle), Hodgson (London Irish); Barnes (Bath), Buckland (Leicester), Turner (Sale), Hudson (Bath), Schofield (Sale), Beattie (Bath), Seymour (Saracens), Horstmann (Worcester Warriors). Replacements: Paice (London Irish), Ward (Newcastle), Kennedy (London Irish), Woods (Newcastle), Wigglesworth (Sale), Crockett (Bath), Bell (Leeds).