Ashton: Back from suspension
Saracens wing Chris Ashton was named in England coach Stuart Lancaster's 23-man training squad ahead of Saturday's clash with Australia at Twickenham.
Ashton, who missed last weekend's 54-12 victory over Fiji after collecting three yellow cards in the Aviva Premiership, replaces Harlequins wing Ugo Monye, who misses out despite registering his second Test try against the Pacific Islanders.
Gloucester flyer Charlie Sharples, who scored a brace of tries in the victory last weekend, is retained in the squad on the back of that performance.
Dylan Hartley is returning to camp for continued treatment on his knee injury.
"We had to make some tough decisions within the 23 and we are in a good position to be able to select from a virtually fully fit squad," said Lancaster.
"Training has been very focused during the last two days with all the players training well and pushing hard.
"It is tough on Ugo, who misses out this time, but Chris [Ashton] has been excellent in training and Charlie is rewarded for his performance at the weekend."
Meanwhile, 13 players are released back to their clubs, including London Irish pair Alex Corbisiero and Jonathan Joseph, who Lancaster says will benefit from game time.
"Alex Corbisiero has played once in five months so it is important that he goes back and has more game time for London Irish," the coach added.
"Jonathan Joseph has come through training but Brad and Manu did well in the centres and, similar to Alex, it would be good for him to get some game time."
England squad: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs),Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Tom Palmer (London Wasps), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), David Paice (London Irish), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers), David Wilson (Bath Rugby), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers); Chris Ashton (Saracens), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers), Alex Goode (Saracens), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby), Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
Comments
melkdave says...
Not surprised at the 23,as SL has said its still a building phase for England ,im mean come on it hasnt even been a year yet under SL ,and already i feel England have made alot of progress.As to Morgon ,Sl saw him in the summer series ,now his looking at what Waldroum can do and offer imo.and @jehosophat i see things a litle diffinatly to you,.While i want to see England improving game on game and campaign by campaign,come the end of the 2013 6Ns id like to think we have established a group of 36 players min ,we know can play at the highest leval ,and take England forward,so we arnt so exposed to injuries ala Ireland / Australia or the vagaries of form ala Wales atm I would rather we where more like NZ with a pool of talanted players myself..The aurtum series of 2013 is when i expect SL and co to really start bearing down on consistancy of selection .
Posted 19:06 14th November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Alex is our best loosehead but I agree that its asking a massive amount to throw him into test matches against the top three teams in the world if absolutely no game time.
See you in the Six Nations Alex.
Posted 12:49 14th November 2012
jehosophat says...
Well so much for my hopes of starting Corbisiero and Morgan!
There are a lot of positions in this squad - especially 4-8 and the back 3 - where there are plenty of pretty decent options but no-one really grabbing the shirt in both hands. I don't mind one more season of Lancaster varying it up, and trying out the players in form for their club, but it is imperative that by the end of the 6N he knows his starting 15 and sticks to it for a bit.
Posted 11:49 14th November 2012
jmanngod says...
only 4 NZ'ers... not enough to win methinks
Posted 05:56 14th November 2012
wooden_spoon says...
he's such a punk. Poor decision as Ashton is certain to spend at least 10 minutes in the bin every other match.
Posted 05:39 14th November 2012
cuw3100 says...
Manusamoa Tuilagi
Is he named after a country ?? just asking :)
Posted 05:07 14th November 2012
ferdie says...
can only laugh if this is the Qanatas Wallabies idea of intimidation - from BBC Sport:
Australia's Digby Ioane saysEngland's wingers are "pretty". "The England wingers are pretty, really good looking. I just can't wait to go against them," he said.
"I'm looking forward to this game because I want to redeem myself."
I like Catt's response: "Everyone has their opinion. That's his choice if he fancies them."
Digby, you are a fool.
Posted 03:35 14th November 2012
kiwilad says...
A victory over the Wannabies will be a great confidence builder ahead of the Lions tour..
Posted 00:33 14th November 2012
sirtidychris says...
What has Ben Morgan done? Better than the tank and has performed well to date?
Posted 23:08 13th November 2012
KubilaKhan says...
Ugo should give Ashton a wedgie! Cannot understand why everyone is so obsessed with him. He is a good player but he kind of makes me think of him as the 'Quade Cooper' of England. Lot's of flashy talent, but not the best grasp on the game and a big mouth.
Posted 19:20 13th November 2012
NHsaints says...
Not even slightly surprising.
Posted 18:23 13th November 2012