England send 18 players back to clubs

Editor

England coach Stuart Lancaster has released 18 players back to their Aviva Premiership clubs ahead of this week's Round 14 action.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster has released eighteen players back to their Aviva Premiership clubs ahead of this weekend's Round 14 action.

The starting XV from the game against Scotland at Murrayfield will remain at St George's Park for training on Wednesday and Thursday morning.

The whole squad will then return to Pennyhill Park on Sunday evening to prepare for their third Six Nations match against Ireland at Twickenham.

“We have reviewed the Scotland game with the whole squad and, while pleasing in many aspects, we have identified the areas we need to work on,” said Lancaster.

“There are some inevitable knocks from the weekend but nothing that we anticipate will keep players out of contention for the Ireland game.

“The replacements will return to their Premiership clubs and be available to play this weekend which will give them valuable game time.”

Players returning to Aviva Premiership clubs: Chris Ashton (Saracens), David Attwood (Bath Rugby), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), George Ford (Bath Rugby), Alex Goode (Saracens), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Matt Mullan (London Wasps), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Players retained at St George's Park: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints), Danny Care (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints).