Matt Dawson and Iain Balshaw have both been named in a powerful England A line-up to tackle their French counterparts at Limoges on Friday afternoon.

Scrum-half Dawson has made just one comeback appearance since suffering an ankle injury during Northampton's Heineken Cup defeat against Glasgow on January 4.

Senior England boss Clive Woodward subsequently turned to Harlequins youngster Nick Duncombe as cover for first-choice number nine Kyran Bracken, and he won caps as a Six Nations replacement during victories over Scotland and Ireland this season.

But the vastly-experienced Dawson has time to play himself back into contention, starting on Friday, for England's Twickenham Six Nations appointment with Wales in just over three weeks' time.

Balshaw was on the bench against Scotland and Ireland, yet has now made way for a fit-again Dan Luger, who will be a replacement when England tackle France in Paris on Saturday.

Bath lock Steve Borthwick has been handed the England A captaincy, leading a side which features Sanderson brothers Alex and Pat in the back row.

Although the list of substitutes is yet to be finalised, Orrell fly-half Phil Jones is set for a bench role.

Jones is in his first season with the Lancashire club after joining them from Wigan Rugby League.

But there is no place for England's most capped full-back Matt Perry, who was in the A team beaten by Ireland at Northampton 12 days ago.

England A: I Balshaw (Bath), M Cueto (Sale), F Waters (Wasps), J Lewsey (Wasps), P Sackey (London Irish), A Goode (Leicester), M Dawson (Northampton), D Flatman (Saracens), M Regan (Bath), J White (Bristol), S Borthwick (Bath, capt), L Deacon (Leicester), D Danaher (London Irish), P Sanderson (Harlequins), A Sanderson (Sale).

Replacements (from): C Fortey (Gloucester), S Turner (Sale), T Palmer (Leeds), A Sheridan (Bristol), N Walshe (Saracens), P Jones (Orrell), P Christophers (Bristol), P Buxton (Newport), T Woodman (Gloucester).