TWO NEW CAPS TO FACE SPAIN AT WALTON HEATH

England have selected two new caps, Chris Rodgers (Royal Mid Surrey) and John Wells (Beverley & East Riding) for the international against Spain at Walton Heath on May 8-9.

Rodgers, 23, has been on the verge of winning the England place for some time and his call-up follows impressive displays this year, culminating in this winning the Portuguese Amateur Championship. He had previously represented England in France as well as in the recent Spanish Amateur.

Wells, 21, won the Greek Amateur Championship in 1998 and was a member of the Yorkshire team that retained the English County title at Stoneham last October. He also played in this year's Spanish Amateur.

Well's selection means the team's Yorkshire representation is three with Sand Moor pair Ben Mason, 22, and Simon Dyson, 21, retaining their places after winning performances against France and in the Home Internationals.

The other five members of the team are a mixture of youth and experience and were also in the Home Internationals squad which won the title for a record sixth successive time last September. They are English champion, Mark Sanders, 24, Philip Rowe, 20, Colin Edwards, 35 and Gary Wolstenholme, 38. Non-travelling reserves are David Griffiths (West Herts) and Graham Storm (Harltepool).

England have met Spain regularly at international level since 1985 and have yet to be beaten. This will be the eighth meeting between the two countries and the closest Spain have come to winning was in the inaugural contest at Las Brisas when England won 11-10 with one match halved. Two years ago at La Manga England triumphed 14-5 with five matches halved.