Five Saracens players have been named as part of an experimental England side which will face France at Twickenham in a World Cup warm-up match.

Owen Farrell, Alex Goode, Richard Wigglesworth, Mako Vunipola and George Kruis have all been named in head coach Stuart Lancaster's side for Saturday's warm-up fixture (kick-off 8pm).

Chris Ashton was cut from the squad last week and the group of players training ahead of next month's tournament is now down to 39.

Lancaster said: “We are really excited to play our first QBE International at Twickenham and to put into practice some what we have been working on for the last six weeks.

“The lads are itching to get out and play a match and these games give us a chance to look at a wide range of players and combinations before we narrow down our selection further."

The Red Rose will face France in a return fixture at the Stade de France next Saturday (August 15) before hosting Ireland on September 5 as Lancaster formulates his plans for the World Cup.

England team to face France

15. Alex Goode (Saracens, 17 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
12. Sam Burgess (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 13 caps)
10. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 29 caps)
9. Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 21 caps)

1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 20 caps)
2. Rob Webber (Bath Rugby, 12 caps)
3. Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)
4. George Kruis (Saracens, 7 caps)
5. Geoff Parling (Exeter Chiefs, 23 caps)
6. Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, captain, 36 caps)
7. Calum Clark (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
8. Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, 27 caps)

Replacements

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
17. Alex Corbisiero (Northampton Saints, 19 caps)
18. David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 41 caps)
19. Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, 20 caps)
20. James Haskell (Wasps, 58 caps)
21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 50 caps)
22. Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks, 12 caps)
23. Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 20 caps)