Saxons to face Irish Wolfhounds in Exeter

England Saxons will return to Exeter's Sandy Park for their opening game of the 2011/12 international term, against the Ireland Wolfhounds on January 28.

The game will be the Saxons' second appearance at the Devon venue. They scored five tries there in beating Italy A 34-5 in February 2007.

Current senior internationals Nick Easter, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell and Richard Wigglesworth all played that night following the official opening of the £15million stadium.

"We're all looking forward to our return to Exeter in the New Year," said head coach Lancaster.

"The Westcountry is such a passionate rugby area and Sandy Park's a great venue for an international game for the players and we hope the supporters will turn out and get behind the team as we bring some of the best young players in the country to the South West.

"We've built up a great rivalry with Ireland in the last few years, beating them at Bath last year and then being edged out at Ravenhill nine months ago.

"It'll be a really competitive game and a great opportunity for players just outside the senior Elite Players Squad to put down a marker ahead of the RBS 6 Nations."

The Saxons will confirm details of a second international game - in February next year - in due course.

Flanker Tom Johnson became the first Exeter Chiefs player to appear for England Saxons, featuring in all three matches in this summer's successful Churchill Cup campaign against the USA, Tonga and Canada.