FORMER Colchester Rugby Club youngster Lewis Ludlam has been named in England's World Cup training squad.

The 23-year-old Northampton Saints flanker, who came through the youth ranks at Mill Road, is one of four uncapped players to be included in the training squad, ahead of this year's tournament in Japan.

Gloucester scrum-half Willi Heinz, Bath wing Ruaridh McConnochie and Saracens hooker Jack Singleton are also uncapped players to have been included in the 35-man training squad.

Ludlam, a former St Joseph’s College schoolboy in Ipswich, has already represented England at both under-20 and under-18 level.

England head coach Eddie Jones will name his final 31-man World Cup party, next month.

He said: "We can't wait to have the full squad in place and to have players competing for those (final World Cup) 31 places.

"It is a process of building the team up, building the cohesion, the tactical understanding of the team and our adaptability. We will need to get those things right to win the World Cup, and that is our aim.

"World Cup selection is a four-year process. We have looked at the squad carefully, tried to build up a squad that has enough experience, attitude and energy to be winners and I think we have that.

"In the process, we have left out some players who can feel unlucky.

"For those guys who have missed out, the door is never closed but they have just got to be ready, as you never know when the opportunity comes."

England must submit their final 31-man World Cup squad on September 2, and they start their campaign against Tonga in Sapporo on September 22.

Jones added: "For the fans it is the start of the journey, so we want you to be with us, we are all in this together."

Backing his squad selection, Jones added: "I never think selection is a gamble. It's a process, a four-year process.

"There's some very good players left out. I've spoken to all those players individually and personally.

"There's a lot of disappointed players out there. But we have enough experience to win the World Cup."