Martin Johnson has sent eleven players back to their clubs this evening, and it gives a clear indication as to who will feature for England this weekend.
Delon Armitage and Ugo Monye are both on the list, and England will have two new faces in the back three on Saturday. Courtney Lawes is also returning, suggesting that Simon Shaw is fit and that fears for Steve Borthwick’s injury are not as great as we thought.
Charlie Hodgson must have had a good day out in Surrey, and he’ll be delighted that he made the trip from Stockport to join up with the team yesterday.
Delon Armitage
Steffon Armitage
Jordan Crane
Shontayne Hape
Charlie Hodgson
Paul Hodgson
Courtney Lawes
Lee Mears
Ugo Monye
Matthew Mullan
Dan Ward-Smith
If Johnson puts Tait on the wing and shoves Tindal in the centres rather than giving Ashton a go, I will cry.
I am happy Courtney Lawes is released. He will bring Northampton the first silverware of the season next weekend (LV=Cup). And will secure Heineken Cup for next year already with it. He learns more from playing a final than being brought on 5 minutes before the end at a 37-3 score in Paris.