England EPS Squads 2010/11 named
England Team Manager Martin Johnson has named the 32-man Senior and Saxons Elite Player Squads for the 2010/11 season.
The changes made to the Senior EPS since the last announcement in January include the promotion of forwards David Attwood, George Chuter, Dan Cole, Paul Doran-Jones, Hendre Fourie and Tom Palmer. The backs promoted are Chris Ashton, David Strettle, Mike Tindall, Dominic Waldouck and Ben Youngs.
Players who appeared in the 2010 RBS 6 Nations moving down into the Saxons EPS include Steve Borthwick, who led the side against Wales, Italy, Ireland and Scotland, Ugo Monye, Mathew Tait and Louis Deacon.
England Team Manager Martin Johnson said: (quote) This was undoubtedly the most difficult EPS selection we have had to make in my time in the job. I think we have picked the best players and the fact that some experienced guys have missed out goes to show the depth we have now got. We want to build on what we have done this summer and a Southern Hemisphere tour that was hugely beneficial and a really positive experience for the group. We were able to give lots of opportunities to players and expose them to a high level of rugby. (end quote)
Regarding Steve Borthwick Johnson said: (quote) Leaving Steve Borthwick out of the Senior EPS was a very hard decision. He has done a fantastic job for England over the last couple of years and it is the most difficult call we have had to make. It is very tough on Steve but it goes to show the depth of talent we have got in that area. (end quote)
New faces who have won call-ups to the Saxons EPS are forwards Jon Golding, Luke Narraway, Geoff Parling and Tom Wood, and backs Anthony Allen, Charlie Hodgson and James Simpson-Daniel.
England have a training camp at Twickenham from August 8 to 14 and four Investec Internationals in November against New Zealand 6, Australia 13, Samoa 20 and South Africa 27.
England Senior EPS
Forwards
David Attwood Gloucester Rugby
George Chuter Leicester Tigers
Dan Cole Leicester Tigers
Tom Croft Leicester Tigers
Paul Doran-Jones Gloucester Rugby
Nick Easter Harlequins
Hendre Fourie Leeds Carnegie
Dylan Hartley Northampton Saints
James Haskell Stade Francais
Courtney Lawes Northampton Saints
Lewis Moody Bath Rugby
Tom Palmer Stade Francais
Tim Payne London Wasps
Simon Shaw London Wasps
Andrew Sheridan Sale Sharks
Steve Thompson Leeds Carnegie
David Wilson Bath Rugby
Joe Worsley London Wasps
Backs
Delon Armitage London Irish
Chris Ashton Northampton Saints
Matt Banahan Bath Rugby
Danny Care Harlequins
Mark Cueto Sale Sharks
Toby Flood Leicester Tigers
Riki Flutey London Wasps
Ben Foden Northampton Saints
Shontayne Hape Bath Rugby
David Strettle Saracens
Mike Tindall Gloucester Rugby
Dominic Waldouck London Wasps
Jonny Wilkinson RC Toulon
Ben Youngs Leicester Tigers
England Saxons EPS
Forwards
Steffon Armitage London Irish
Duncan Bell Bath Rugby
Steve Borthwick Saracens
Alex Corbisiero London Irish
Jordon Crane Leicester Tigers
Louis Deacon Leicester Tigers
Phil Dowson Northampton Saints
Jon Golding Newcastle Falcons
Lee Mears Bath Rugby
Matt Mullan Worcester Warriors
Luke Narraway Gloucester Rugby
Geoff Parling Leicester Tigers
Tom Rees London Wasps
Chris Robshaw Harlequins
Andrew Saull Saracens
Dan Ward-Smith London Wasps
Rob Webber London Wasps
Tom Wood Northampton Saints
Backs
Nick Abendanon Bath Rugby
Anthony Allen Leicester Tigers
Brad Barritt Saracens
Shane Geraghty Northampton Saints
Alex Goode Saracens
Dan Hipkiss Leicester Tigers
Charlie Hodgson Sale Sharks
Paul Hodgson London Irish
Ugo Monye Harlequins
Stephen Myler Northampton Saints
Joe Simpson London Wasps
James Simpson-Daniel Gloucester Rugby
Mathew Tait Sale Sharks
Richard Wigglesworth Saracens
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