Brian Ashton and Jim Robinson may be operating at different levels of England rugby as they prepare for international games against France next weekend, but they share a common bond - both spent yesterday anxiously waiting for the phone to ring with news of injuries.

England Counties XV manager Robinson appears to have greatest cause for relief ahead of the game against France Amateurs at Blackheath on Saturday (March 10, 3.00pm), with none of his squad reporting a problem.

He will know better when the 22 players retained from the 20-17 defeat by the Ireland Clubs XV in Dublin on Friday report at their Bexley Hotel tomorrow night and put their shoulders to the scrummaging machine at Blackheath.

"I've spoken to some of the players and everything seems to be in order," says Robinson. "We have some work to do after our game in Dublin, so not having any disruptions will be very welcome."

Morale-boosting though David Strettle's debut performance for England in Dublin and the selection of five players in the Barbarians team for next week's Mobbs Memorial Match at Bedford were for the England Counties management, the clean bill of health is more important as his team prepares for another searching test.

France were beaten 29-16 on home soil for the first time when the sides last met in Beaune last year and they were also on the losing side when they last faced the Counties at Newbury in 2005 and went down 38-0.

But only six of the Counties side that won in Beaune last year are in the team for Saturday - Neil Hallett (Esher), Chris Malherbe (Wharfedale), Duncan Cormack (Esher), Wayne Reed (Launceston), Richard Snowball (Darlington) and James Winterbottom (Henley).

The squad also contains 15 players who made their Counties XV debuts in Dublin, so the development process being overseen by a new coaching team of Ben Ryan and David Baldwin represents a steep learning curve.

Despite the scoreline at Donnybrook, however, there were a number of purple passages against the Irish and while careless hands denied the Counties victory, they go into Saturday's game full of confidence.

Manager Robinson is hoping that the rugby fraternity of Blackheath and the South East will rally to the cause and ensure that the atmosphere at the game matches that provided by the French and the Irish.

"The Ireland game was televised live, so that obviously had an effect on the crowd, but there was still good support, while the game in Beaune was also very well attended and created quite a buzz in a compact ground," says Robinson.

"The French are very enthusiastic about this side and with 11 players from the South East involved on Saturday, I'd like to see rugby supporters from the region really getting behind the team.

"We produced some very entertaining rugby in Dublin and I know spectators won't be disappointed at the enterprising way we try to play the game."

Additional entertainment for young people provided by The Army will also be available at the ground, including an inflatable assault course and laser clay-pigeon shooting.

England Counties XV: Neil Hallett (Esher & Surrey); Alastair Bressington (Stourbridge & Gloucestershire), Chris Malherbe (Wharfedale & Yorkshire), Mark Bedworth (Wharfedale & Yorkshire), Mark Sweeney (Launceston & Cornwall); Matt Leek (Esher & Surrey), Graham Barr (Esher & Middlesex); Duncan Cormack (Esher & Surrey) capt, Liam Wordley (Henley & Staffordshire), Wayne Reed (Launceston & Devon), Richard Snowball (Darlington & Yorkshire), James Winterbottom (Henley & Middlesex), Mike Blakeburn (Esher & Surrey), Neil Spence (Bradford & Bingley & Yorkshire), Tom Hayman (Westcombe Park & Notts, Lincs, Derby).

Replacements: Bevon Armitage (Esher), Tristan Roberts (Cinderford & Kent), Craig Aikman (Halifax & Lancashire), Dave Allen (Blackheath & Kent), Matt Owen (Manchester & Cheshire), James Tideswell (Stourbridge & North Midlands), Tom Doran (Esher & Surrey).

Tickets for the game can be obtained by contacting tickets@blackheathrugby.co.uk.

Adult tickets cost £10 and children £4, with discounts available for family tickets and group bookings of 10 or more made in advance.