Gloucester's big money rugby league recruit Henry Paul will pull on an England shirt for the first time this Friday when he lines up in the 'A' international against Scotland.

The former Bradford Bulls and Wigan rugby league star, signed by the Cherry and Whites in a lucrative six-figure deal earlier this season, has been selected at centre alongside Wasps' Fraser Waters.

And it gives him a great chance to impress the England hierarchy in an A side containing capped players such as skipper Steve Borthwick, Wasps full-back Josh Lewsey and Saracens prop David Flatman.

Paul has trained with the England squad since switching codes, but played most of his recent Premiership rugby as Gloucester's number 10.

Although he has a lot to do in terms of making a senior England breakthrough, Friday's game will inevitably put him under the spotlight as his progress is closely monitored.

As with the England team on Calcutta Cup duty against Scotland a day later, A team bosses have chosen players who are in impressive club form.

Prolific try-scoring Sale wings Mark Cueto and Steve Hanley have both been chosen - Hanley won his solitary senior cap against Wales in 1999 - while Newcastle's Dave Walder and Saracens' Nick Walshe form the half-back partnership.

Up front, Newport flanker Peter Buxton features in a strong back-row with Gloucester's Andy Hazell and Sale forward Alex Sanderson, and there is also an opportunity for highly-rated Leeds lock Tom Palmer.

"We have an exciting young squad, with some interesting new names coming through," said England A coach Ged Glynn.

"There is tremendous strength in depth in the England camp at present, and lots of competition for places."

Team: J Lewsey (Wasps); M Cueto (Sale), H Paul (Gloucester), F Waters (Wasps), S Hanley (Sale); D Walder (Newcastle), N Walshe (Saracens); D Flatman (Saracens), A Long (Bath), R Nebbett (Leicester), T Palmer (Leeds), S Borthwick (Bath, capt), P Buxton (Newport), A Hazell (Gloucester), A Sanderson (Sale).

Replacements: B Johnston (Saracens), H Charlton (Newcastle), M Worsley (London Irish), A Titterrell (Sale), A Brown (Bristol), A Goode (Leicester), D Danaher (London Irish).