England announce extended training squad for Rugby World Cup

Ashton was last capped during the summer tour to New Zealand a year ago while Strettle has not been involved since June 2013 after slipping behind Jack Nowell, Jonny May, Anthony Watson, Marland Yarde and Christian Wade in the pecking order.

Wade, however, is absent from the 50 who will gather at Pennyhill Park on June 22 to begin preparations for the home World Cup, which opens against Fiji at Twickenham on September 18.

As expected, there is no place for Steffon Armitage or Nick Abendanon with head coach Stuart Lancaster refusing to activate the ‘exceptional circumstances’ contingency that would enable him to select overseas-based players.

England have announced their extended training squad for the @rugbyworldcup http://t.co/hLu0O7Kf06 #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/i4mOywRwOO

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 20, 2015

Burgess features in England’s summer plans just six months into his union education, although doubt persists over what position he will be asked to fill.

Bath have picked Burgess at blindside flanker in recent weeks and the 26-year-old has responded by playing his best rugby in the new code, but Lancaster is still thought to regard him as an inside centre.

England are short on midfield firepower after Manu Tuilagi was suspended by Lancaster until January for assaulting a taxi driver and two female police offers.

Other than Burgess, there are five uncapped players in Maro Itoje, Henry Slade, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Elliot Daley and Calum Clarke.

“We are excited to name this extended squad which allows us to look at a wide group of players who have been pushing hard for selection in training with us or playing well for their clubs this season,” Lancaster said.

“It’s great to be able to include Alex Corbisiero, Joe Launchbury, Ben Morgan, Ed Slater and David Wilson, who missed the Six Nations because of injury and are close to returning to play or have recently begun playing again.

Congratulations to @dannycare @lutherburrell @robwebber2 @George_Fordy & Calum Clark on @EnglandRugby World Cup training squad call ups

— Yorkshire Carnegie (@carnegierugby) May 20, 2015

“There are a lot of experienced internationals within the squad with the likes of Chris Ashton and David Strettle, who are in great form, returning.”

Lancaster, speaking at Twickenham on Wednesday, defended the decision to overlook Armitage and Abendanon.

“The policy was put in place to support the short, medium and long-term health of the English game and I’ve fully supported it. We believe it’s important,” Lancaster said.

“We want to see all of our players play for English clubs. We believe it’s our responsibility as national coaches to protect the health of the English game.

“We also believe the commitment of players who have decided to stay in England would be eroded if we selected those who are based overseas.

“It was a difficult decision, but we feel it was the right one. I’ve been consistent on this since the start.

“If the policy changed, we could see players start to join clubs in France. Where does it leave you if more and more players go overseas? In my opinion it leaves you weaker.”

Exciting @EnglandRugby WC training squad, great to see the likes of @maroitoje getting a shot #hardworkpaysoff #youngguns

— Jack Walker (@wacker96) May 20, 2015

Lancaster felt compelled to act after Tuilagi’s most recent disciplinary lapse, stating his long-term groin injury played no part in his decision making.

“There’s no other word to describe the Manu situation other than disappointing – the incident itself, for Manu himself and for the country,” Lancaster said.

“It was a tough week last week, but it was the right decision and right stance.

“Whether he was fit or unfit was irrelevant, the way players behave as role models on and off the field is important.”