Sussex youth duo Adam Halsey and David Tibbott are in the running for England under-21 honours.

Halsey, a prop with Saracens, and Tibbott, an inside centre with London Wasps, have been selected to play for the South of England against France (West) on Wednesday at Coventry.

Both players were in the England London and South East team that beat England South West 22-7 at Rosslyn Park recently.

England will select their squad after Wednesday's action as they prepare for the under-21s' Six Nations programme in 2002.

The Sussex duo were both part of the Haywards Heath under-18 squad of two seasons ago and played for Sussex from the age of 13 before signing professional with their Premiership teams.

Tibbott was one of the successful 1999/2000 XV at Brighton College, along with Nick Woodbridge and John Hart, who are now also on contract at London Wasps, and John Lake at London Irish and Ollie Phillips at Newcastle, who have also become professionals in Premiership under-21 squads.

Sussex under-20s, who broke new ground in the County Championships last term, kick-off their season with a warm-up game against Eastern Counties on December 16, followed byfixtures against national champions Surrey, Hampshire and The Army in February and March.