England have allowed eight players to be released from their training camp so they can play for their club sides in the EDF Energy Cup.
Olly Barkley, Wasps duo Josh Lewsey and Tim Payne, George Chuter, Jordan Crane, Dan Hipkiss, Shane Geraghty and Peter Richards have all been allowed to join up with their club sides.
Despite this being seen as a positive move by Martin Johnson, it does suggest that these players aren’t in his mind for a starting role in the Autumn tests.