Jerseyman Matt Banahan has retained his place in the England Saxons squad for the forthcoming Six Nations season.

The giant Bath wing was named among the 32-man England second-string selected by coach Martin Johnson this morning. England Saxons will kick off their 2009 campaign against Portugal at Edgeley Park, Stockport, the home of Sale Sharks, on Friday 30 January (kick off 8 pm, live on Sky Sports).

England Saxons have been unbeaten for two years and last season recorded back to back victories over Ireland A (31-13) and Italy A (15-38) before retaining the Barclays Churchill Cup, when Banahan was the top try scorer.
Ben Foden’s blistering form for Northampton has been rewarded with a call-up to the elite England squad.

Foden, equally adept as a full-back or scrum-half, is one of five selection changes in a revised 32-man group ahead of this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.

• Picture: Matt Banahan was top scorer in the tournament playing for the England Saxons during last summer’s Churchill Cup