Andy Robinson has written off three more members of England's World Cup squad - including fly-half superstar Jonny Wilkinson - for the first autumn Test against Canada at Twickenham.
While head coach Robinson reported Wilkinson is responding well to treatment for an upper-arm problem, England have conceded the inevitable regarding their captain's latest injury setback.
World Cup props Trevor Woodman and Phil Vickery have also been removed from the Canada equation on Saturday week - joining Wilkinson, wing James Simpson-Daniel, plus locks Alex Brown and Louis Deacon in not being considered because of recent or on-going injuries.
Tom Voyce, Dan Luger, Olly Barkley and James Forrester complete the 10-strong reduction after Robinson announced a 30-man group from which he will select his starting line-up - and reveal Wilkinson's captaincy replacement - next Monday.
Bath centre Mike Tindall, his club colleague Steve Borthwick and Sale Sharks full-back Jason Robinson head the list of alternative leaders.
Given that a huge question mark is hovering over Wilkinson's fitness for Twickenham appointments with South Africa and Australia later this month, the short-term successor may enjoy a minimum three games in charge.
Exactly half of the World Cup squad - 15 players - are now missing from England's set-up, less than a year after they achieved global supremacy.
Sale wing Mark Cueto and Leicester scrum-half Harry Ellis are likely to be the two new caps on parade against Canada, with recalls expected for Gloucester centre Henry Paul and Leicester prop Graham Rowntree.
Charlie Hodgson is destined to replace Wilkinson, although Wasps fly-half Alex King's superb club form has been recognised by him moving above Barkley in the pecking order.
Since the World Cup, England have won just three Tests and lost to New Zealand (twice), Australia, France and Ireland.
Canada should provide relatively straightforward opposition, but then come the major obstacles provided by Jake White's resurgent Springboks and World Cup runners-up Australia.
With both South Africa and Australia playing this weekend - against Wales and Scotland, respectively - Robinson will be among the many interested observers.
ENGLAND SQUAD for Test match against Canada at Twickenham on November 13
Backs: J Robinson (Sale Sharks), J Lewsey (Wasps), I Balshaw (Leeds), M Cueto (Sale Sharks), B Cohen (Northampton), M Tindall (Bath), W Greenwood (Harlequins), J Noon (Newcastle), H Paul (Gloucester), C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), A King (Wasps), A Gomarsall (Gloucester), H Ellis (Leicester), H Charlton (Newcastle).
Forwards: G Rowntree (Leicester), M Stevens (Bath), A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), J White (Leicester), S Thompson (Northampton), M Regan (Leeds), A Titterrell (Sale Sharks), D Grewcock (Bath), S Borthwick (Bath), B Kay (Leicester), H Vyvyan(Saracens), C Jones (Sale Sharks), J Worsley (Wasps), L Moody (Leicester), A Hazell(Gloucester), M Corry (Leicester).
