A Cumbrian-born Rugby Union player has been named in England’s preliminary squad ahead of the World Cup in France later this year.

Jamie Blamire, who was born in Seaton in 1997, has been named in fellow Cumbrian Steve Borthwick’s 28-man training squad, with the full announcement to be made in August ahead of warm-up games against Wales, Ireland and Fiji.

England’s World Cup campaign begins against Argentina in Marseille on August 9, with the tournament set to finish in late October.

Borthwick’s selection does not include England contenders from Premiership semi-finalists Saracens, Sale, Northampton and Leicester, with those players afforded extended rest periods after finishing in the top four in the season.

Former Workington and Gosforth Academy student Blamire plays as a hooker for Newcastle Falcons and already has six appearances for the England senior side under his belt, having made his debut in 2021.

The 25-year-old’s first start for England saw him contribute a hattrick of tries in the 70-14 win over Canada back in July 2021, scoring further points in international games against Australia and Tonga.

The former Seaton Rangers youngster also featured in Eddie Jones’ England squad for the Six Nations in 2022, so looks to have a bright future for the Red and Whites ahead of him.

The 2022-23 campaign was a successful one for Blamire as he became a regular Premiership starter, scoring eight tries in his 24 games across all competitions before agreeing to a new two-year contract extension.

It is perhaps no surprise therefore that he features in Borthwick’s preliminary squad, and Blamire will be working hard to impress his coach and ensure that he is one of the 33 players on the plane to France.