JOHNSON DROPS TINDALL AND KAY

The two senior players have been relegated to the England Saxons squad along with recent New Zealand tourists Joe Worsley, Michael Lipman, Richard Wigglesworth, Topsy Ojo, David Strettle and Mike Brown.

Johnson has included Wasps' New Zealand Maori international Riki Flutey, who qualifies for England on residency grounds in September, Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley, London Irish lock Nick Kennedy and Leicester back-row forward Jordan Crane as the only four uncapped players in the Elite Player Squad.

Wasps full-back Josh Lewsey returns to the senior England fold for the first time since the World Cup, while Leicester duo Harry Ellis and Lewis Moody return from long-term injuries.

In all, 13 of the summer touring squad miss out on senior selection.

Charlie Hodgson, who endured a nightmare tour of New Zealand, has not been included in either squad, with Leicester's Andy Goode preferred in the Saxons.

Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani has been included in the second string, even though he will not return from a fractured dislocation of his right ankle until at least the end of November.

The only specialist fly-half in the full England squad is Jonny Wilkinson, though Olly Barkley, Toby Flood and Shane Geraghty all provide cover from inside centre.