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Jonny Wilkinson back in England fold but Danny Cipriani stays in the wilderness
Chris Jones7 Jul 2009
Jonny Wilkinson has been drafted into England's elite squad for next season after fighting back from his latest injury nightmare but there was no place among the 32 for Danny Cipriani.
Wilkinson won the last of his 70 caps in March 2008 and his final season at Newcastle was ruined after he dislocated his knee.
But having moved to Toulon last month, he has now been offered the chance by Martin Johnson to be part of England's World Cup challenge in New Zealand in 2011. The 30-year-old is one of only two specialist No10s in the squad along with Toby Flood.
Cipriani has to be content with a place in the Saxons squad after failing to make any headway on their tour of the US, where he ended up as second choice to Northampton's Stephen Myler.
James Haskell was not as fortunuate as Wilkinson. Having voiced fears that his move from Wasps to Stade Francais might damage his England chances, Haskell found himself omitted from both squads today. The flanker is one of six French-based players to suffer that fate with Andy Goode, Tom May, Jamie Noon, Tom Palmer, and Steve Thompson all ignored. Riki Flutey, who quit Wasps to join Brive, is in the senior squad.
England boss Johnson said: “Our selections include players based in France and Rob Andrew and I have had extensive discussions with the French clubs, who have recruited English players and these have gone well. We are looking forward to continuing the positive working relationship with them, which worked so well last season.”
The squad
Forwards: S Armitage (L Irish),
S Borthwick (Saracens), G Chuter (Leics),
J Crane (Leics), T Croft (Leics), L Deacon (Leics), N Easter (Quins), D Hartley (N'hampton),
B Kay (Leics), L Mears (Bath), T Payne (Wasps),
T Rees (Wasps), S Shaw (Wasps), A Sheridan (Sale), P Vickery (Wasps), J White (Leics), D Wilson (Bath), J Worsley (Wasps).
Backs: D Armitage (L Irish), M Banahan (Bath), D Care (Quins), M Cueto (Sale), H Ellis (Leics), T Flood (Leics), R Flutey (Brive), D Hipkiss (Leics), P Hodgson (L Irish), U Monye (Quins), O Morgan (Gloucs), M Tait (Sale),
M Tindall (Gloucs), J Wilkinson (Toulon).
Reader views (1)
As soon as you see the names Borthwick, Kay, Vickery, White, Easter, Mear, Tindall and Tait - you realise there is precious little rugby talent coming through in England anymore. The Cuinness Premiership, with its emphasis on employing foreigners like Tuikagi and Fkutey has become a second rate competition
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 07/07/2009 16:13
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