13th November 2009

By Steve Williams

England will field an entire back row of former Berkshire based players  when they take on Argentina at Twickenham tomorrow (2.30pm) in the second of three successive Investec Challenge Autumn Internationals.
Ascot-born Lewis Moody, now in his 14th season at Leicester Tigers and  the oldest of the breakaway trio at 31, learnt his early rugby with  Bracknell Minis and will pick up his 55th cap tomorrow alongside his club mate Tom Croft and Stade Francais's James Haskell.
Although born in Basingstoke Croft, 24, wins his 15th cap having started  playing at a very young age while attending Park House School in Newbury. He then joined the Newbury club and played with them for five years before moving to the Leicester Tigers Academy.
Former Wellington College, Crowthorne student and Windsor-born James Haskell, also 24, completes the back row lineup with his recall to the side for his 20th cap. Haskell is now revelling in his new life with top French side Stade Francais having moved across the channel during the summer.
And, the Berkshire connection continues on the bench with the callup of another Leicester Tiger and centre Ayoola Erinle. The 29 year-old was brought up in Reading and played for Reading and Henley Hawks before embarking on a top-flight career with London Wasps before moving to the Midlands
As the RFU's IRB Representative and former Berkshire RFU President Jonathan Dance says: 'For one of the smallest counties in the country to have all three players in the England back row, plus one on the bench, with previous Berkshire club experience is incredible.I'm sure it will be very motivational for the county's young players who can clearly see that there is a pathway to the very top of the game.'