There were few surprises today when England boss Clive Woodward named his squad for the Six Nations Championship showdown with Ireland in Dublin on October 20. The 30-man squad includes familiar names who have plenty of international experience but there are also places for young Leicester lock Ben Kay, his team-mate Lewis Moody and the Wasps back Josh Lewsey.
Bath centre Mike Tindall, who has endured a seven-month absence from the game before making his comeback two days ago, is also included in the squad. Lawrence Dallaglio, Leon Lloyd and Ben Johnston were not considered for selection due to injuries.
Eight players - Michael Stephenson, Charlie Hodgson, Nick Walshe, David Flatman, Mark Regan, Steve Borthwick, Richard Pool-Jones and Pat Sanderson - have also been invited to attend training next Monday alongside the 30 players who were named in the squad.
England squad:
Backs: I Balshaw (Bath), M Perry (Bath), D Luger (Harlequins), A Healey (Leicester), J Robinson (Sale), B Cohen(Northampton), W Greenwood (Harlequins), M Catt (Bath), J Lewsey (Wasps), M Tindall (Bath), J Wilkinson (Newcastle), D Walder (Newcastle), M Dawson (Northampton), K Bracken (Saracens).
Forwards: J Leonard (Harlequins), G Rowntree (Leicester), P Vickery (Gloucester), J White (Bristol), P Greening (Wasps), D West (Leicester), M Johnson (Leicester, capt), D Grewcock (Bath), S Shaw (Wasps), B Kay (Leicester), R Hill (Saracens), N Back (Leicester), L Moody (Leicester), A Sanderson (Sale), J Worsley(Wasps), M Corry (Leicester).
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
