PAUL SAMPSON, a schoolboy full back/wing, was the surprise name included yesterday in a 30 man England training squad for the Five Nations match against Wales at Twickenham on February 3rd.
Sampson, who plays for third division Otley, will join the squad of 21 who were on duty in Paris last weekend, plus eight other players including 31 year old flanker Andy Robinson and Bristol University student Alex King.
England manager Jack Rowell has not seen Sampson, who comes recommended by other selectors as England search for wings for the future.
Sampson, who is still at Wood house Grove School near Bradford, played six times for the England under 18 side last season.
Nigel Melville, former England captain and Sampson's coach at Otley, had a similar experience of being called into an expanded England squad as a teenager back in 1979.
"It will not be an ordeal for him to train alongside the multi capped Carling, Guscott and Underwood," said Melville. "He is a very confident young man with incredible pace and incredible talent," he added.
Rowell does not envisage many changes to the side that lost 15-12 in Paris, saying: "There would be only the most minimal changes when we finalise our team." The only three forwards among the extra nine players added are all back row men.
