Liam Botham has been named in the England squad for this season's A internationals just four days after turning his back on Wales.

The Doncaster-born Cardiff wing, son of England cricket legend Ian Botham, this week turned down a chance to play in tomorrow's Welsh trial.

He would have qualified for Wales on residency grounds next autumn, but rejected coach Graham Henry's overtures and chose England instead.

The 22-year-old's immediate reward is an A squad place alongside 11 capped players. He could make his debut against Ireland A at Northampton next Friday night.

"The inclusion of Liam Botham will obviously receive a lot of attention," admitted England coach Clive Woodward, who formulated the A party alongside Richard Hill, Rob Smith and Andrew Harriman.

"But like me, Liam wants to ignore the hype and get on with the job of producing as good a performance for his country as possible, if selected to face Ireland A a week today."

A fascinating 28-man England A squad also includes Bath's former Super 12 flanker Angus Gardiner, who originates from Stoke-on-Trent, and New Zealand born Gloucester centre Chris Yates.

Gloucester, Premiership leaders until their midweek defeat at Saracens, are rewarded for superb league form with five players being selected Yates, fellow centre Joe Ewens, hooker Chris Fortey, lock Rob Fidler and flanker Steve Ojomoh.

Saracens prop David Flatman, tipped by many pundits to remove 77 times-capped Jason Leonard from the senior England team, must content himself with A duties and a definite starting place next Friday.

But there were words of encouragement from Woodward, who said: "David is pushing really hard for a place in the Six Nations squad we will be watching him very closely."

Wasps centres Mark Denney and Fraser Waters are also handed an opportunity to impress, together with their club colleagues Will Green and Peter Scrivener.

But promising Bath lock Steve Borthwick fails to make it. Although he was considered, a full season of England under-21 appearances beckons instead.

The capped player contingent includes Sale wing Steve Hanley, British Lion Tim Stimpson, Graham Rowntree and Tony Diprose, plus Wasps fly-half Alex King.

And Botham is not the only played plucked from across the Severn Bridge by Woodward and company. Llanelli lock Craig Gillies, formerly of Richmond and Bath, also features.