Following England’s game against The Netherlands last November, the senior men’s squad will travel to Hamburg next week to take on the World Champions Germany.

Richard Springham, a regular member of the U21 side since 2005, has been given his first England cap following good performances for his club side – Slazenger EHL Champions Reading – throughout the season.  Although Richard is a versatile player, he is expected to play in the defence and is equally comfortable at both full back and half back.

East Grinstead’s Ashley Jackson will earn his second England cap following his selection for the senior side against The Netherlands last November.   Cannock’s Martin Jones, who currently has 99 senior caps for England and Great Britain, will reach 100 not out against Germany.

Several players were not considered for selection including Simon Mantell who is concentrating on completing his finals at Birmingham University.

Manager Peter Nicholson commented “Clearly this will be a tough challenge, but it will be good to get some of the squad together again for this match following the close of the domestic season”.

The game against Germany will take place at in Hamburg on Tuesday 1 May at 1530 hrs.

England last met Germany in the BDO Men’s Hockey World Cup in September last year.  England, who achieved a fifth placed finish, lost out 2-1 in a close encounter giving eventual World Champions and hosts Germany a scare. 

England are currently preparing for the BDO Hockey Champions Challenge in Boom, Belgium between 23 June and 1 July in which they will play Argentina, Belgium, India, Japan and New Zealand.  Their next big event will come in August when England will be playing in the EuroHockey Nations Championships on home soil at Belle Vue in Manchester, an event which could earn Great Britain qualification for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Source: England Hockey