George Micans is among the Canterbury players included in the touring squad

A quintet of Canterbury players will tour New Zealand this summer after they were selected for the Kent county development side.

Fly-half Tom Best, full-back Martyn Beaumont, wing Ricky Mackintosh and flanker George Micans have been named in the 26-man squad along with Will Alkin, who is on loan at Medway.

It is suitable recognition for a group who have played a key role in a perfect season for Andy Pratt’s side to date, winning all 18 games to move 18 points clear at the top of National 3 London & SE.

Beaumont is the division’s leading try scorer and is joined in the league’s top 10 point scorers by Best. Both Beaumont and Mackintosh made the switch to Merton Lane from Dover last summer, while Best has also played senior championship rugby for the county.

The Kent touring party will play four games at venues in Otago, Auckland and Oamaru during the 16-day trip in July, with former All Black and Blackheath player John Gallagher part of the tourists’ coaching team.

Photo by IGOR KUPCO