Johnson wields the axe

Johnson wields the axe

1 Jul 2008

Martin Johnson has included New Zealander Riki Flutey in his first England elite players squad of 32 but the manager has dropped some high-profile names.

Flutey, 27, is a former Wellington Hurricanes player who has previously represented New Zealand at all age groups and was a member of their U19 World Cup-winning team in 1999. The London Wasps centre started his career as a scrumhalf and has also played at fullback and flyhalf.

Johnson can’t find any space for 2003 World Cup winners Joe Worsley (loose-forward), centre Mike Tindall and lock Ben Kay. The trio have been demoted to the Saxons squad, effectively the A team, and are joined by eighthman Nick Easter and wing David Strettle.

Johnson has maintained scrumhalf Danny Care, who was allegedly involved in the sex scandal in New Zealand. But the other three, wing Topsy Ojo (despite scoring two tries in his debut Test), fullback Mike Brown and Strettle all join up with the Saxons.

Star back Danny Cipriani, who dislocated his ankle, also can’t find a spot in the elite squad.

England elite squad:

Forwards – Steve Borthwick (Saracens), George Chuter (Leicester), Jordan Crane (Leicester), Tom Croft (Leicester), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), James Haskell (Wasps), Nick Kennedy (London Irish), Lee Mears (Bath), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Luke Narraway (Gloucester), Tom Palmer (Wasps), Tim Payne (Wasps), Tom Rees (Wasps), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Matt Stevens (Bath), Phil Vickery (Wasps).

Backs – Olly Barkley (Gloucester), Danny Care (Harlequins), Harry Ellis (Leicester), Toby Flood (Leicester), Riki Flutey (Wasps), Shane Geraghty (London Irish), Dan Hipkiss (Leicester), Josh Lewsey (Wasps), Jamie Noon (Newcastle), Pete Richards (London Irish), Paul Sackey (Wasps), James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), Mathew Tait (Sale), Tom Varndell (Leicester), Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle).

England Saxons squad:

Forwards – Steffon Armitage (London Irish), Richard Blaze (Leicester), Louis Deacon (Leicester), Nick Easter (Harlequins), Jack Forster (Gloucester), Tom Guest (Harlequins), Jason Hobson (Bristol), Chris Jones (Sale), Ben Kay (Leicester), Michael Lipman (Bath), David Paice (London Irish), George Skivington (Wasps), Andy Titterrell (Gloucester), Joe Ward (Wasps), David Wilson (Newcastle), Nick Wood (Gloucester) Joe Worsley (Wasps).

Backs – Nick Abendanon (Bath), Anthony Allen (Gloucester), Matt Banahan (Bath), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Ben Foden (Northampton), Andy Goode (Leicester), Paul Hodgson (London Irish), Ryan Lamb (Gloucester), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), Topsy Ojo (London Irish), David Strettle (Harlequins), Mike Tindall (Gloucester), Dominic Waldouck (Wasps), Richard Wigglesworth (Sale).


14 Comments

  • 1.Skywalker: Reply to this comment
    1 Jul 2008, 13:39 pm

    I have nothing to say.

  • 2.Skywalker: Reply to this comment
    1 Jul 2008, 13:40 pm

    …and I wont say the stupid “D” word

  • 3.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    1 Jul 2008, 14:05 pm

    talentless backs

  • 4.gakaka: Reply to this comment
    1 Jul 2008, 14:19 pm

    what about the volcano ???

  • 5.Amerifikaner: Reply to this comment
    1 Jul 2008, 15:03 pm

    I wouldn’t really call this wielding the axe, except if it refers to very delicate sculpturing away some deadwood. Its more like “the more it change the more it stays the same”. Still a nothing team.

  • 6.Cheetha Champs: Reply to this comment
    1 Jul 2008, 15:07 pm

    The English will never amount to anything until they get some dangerous centers. Hipkiss and Noon are ****. Flood, Barkley and co are flyhalves, and not centers. Tait is the only remotely dangerous player but they keep playing him out of position.

    Flutey and Tait could be a dangerous combo

  • 7.Loosehead: Reply to this comment
    1 Jul 2008, 16:00 pm

    The Poms are as guilty as the Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeweeeeeeeeeeeeee’s of poaching. First Vainikolo and now Flutey. Not to mention Stevens etc.

  • 8.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    1 Jul 2008, 16:13 pm

    #7 Loosehead: Stevens is from an English parent, and NZ weren’t going to use Flutey. Its not like we’re poaching stars like Sivivatu.

    #6 Cheetha Champs: Hipkiss is a very good attacker.

  • 9.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    1 Jul 2008, 16:18 pm

    so is Shane Gerachty

  • 10.rootbeer: Reply to this comment
    1 Jul 2008, 16:59 pm

    Hee hee hee, elite English rugby players!

    Conflict in terms me thinks…

  • 11.Monkey: Reply to this comment
    1 Jul 2008, 17:38 pm

    pity about topsy ojo.

  • 12.gakaka: Reply to this comment
    1 Jul 2008, 17:51 pm

    hey guys where is the volcano ( vainikolo) ?????/

  • 13.clayfin: Reply to this comment
    1 Jul 2008, 18:57 pm

    Big ****/Big ***

    Oh, so now that “elite” poms call up a Kiwi you change your tune regarding poaching – how typical! Go back to your boyfriend!

  • 14.lapoftherugbygods: Reply to this comment
    16 Jul 2008, 15:19 pm

    Rickey Fluteys selection says everything you need to know about English rugby.
    Good luck Ricky . Kia Kaha Another kiwi to the rescue in the NH.

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