Manager Mark Downes has once again selected a young squad to represent Drennan Team England in this year’s European Championships on the Bianca canal, Venice, Italy from 20th-21st May.

Joining the squad for the first time, after two great years at Home International level, is former U23 International James Dent. The vastly experienced Alan Scotthorne and Will Raison will be joined by Matt Derry, Matt Godfrey, Callum Dicks and James Dent.

Mark said: “James is an outstanding young angler with a wealth of experience on rivers and he showed his pedigree in the recent Home International at Shrewsbury by winning the two-day event with a perfect 2 point score.

“The two Matts shone in last year’s Europeans in Holland while Callum did brilliantly in last year’s World Championships in Bulgaria. With the experience of Will and Alan I feel this team has a chance of improving on last year’s silver medal, although beating the Italians in Italy is never easy and with four ‘twentysomethings’ in the team it will be a challenge but I know they will all thrive and help build a really strong base for the future.”

Following the news Mark Addy had retired as England’s joint manager late 2016, England’s highly successful U20’s and Daiwa Dorking Manager Steve Sanders has been added to the team to work with Mark Downes in Italy.

Mark added: “This is a two man job, Steve and myself have worked well together at youth level and we are both excited about taking that into the senior championships. Like myself, Steve likes to win and I am sure our combined experience will help Drennan Team England scoop even more medals.”

The team has been selected early as the event has temporarily moved from the end of June to mid May.

Drennan Team England line-up:

Will Raison
Alan Scotthorne
James Dent
Matt Derry
Matt Godfrey
Callum Dicks