Martin Johnson's first act as the new supremo of England's rugby squad has been to drop three of the men he played alongside in the 2003 World Cup-winning squad.
Centre Mike Tindall and forwards Ben Kay and Joe Worsley failed to make it into the first 32-man elite squad named by Johnson since he took up the role of national team manager in the wake of last month's troubled tour of New Zealand.
The squad will provide the bulk of the players who will represent England in November Tests against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and next year's Six Nations campaign.
Under a new agreement between the English Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Premiership clubs, England will be able to insist on players in the elite squad being released for international duty on specified dates, starting with a five-day training camp in August.
Tindall, Kay and Worsley have been relegated to the second string Saxons while no fewer than 13 members of the squad that lost both of last month's Tests against the All Blacks miss out on Johnson's first senior selection.
Flyhalf Charlie Hodgson, who endured a torrid time in New Zealand, did not even make it into the Saxons squad.
Johnson admitted the tame performances in New Zealand had influenced his thinking.
"I don't think there is a tougher task than going to play New Zealand away," he said.
"What did we find out? Some of the players stood up and competed well and I think we found out something about everyone who went on that tour, and that is factored in to the squad we have named today.
"We were beaten in those two matches by a very good New Zealand team. We have to compete with them and become a better rugby team."
The New Zealand tour was overshadowed by allegations of a serious sexual assault involving four England players and Johnson said members of the new squad would be reminded of their responsibilities in terms of conduct.
He said: "A lot has been spoken about that after New Zealand. When we get together in August it will be one of the first things we discuss and the players will be under no illusions as to where responsibilities lie."
Johnson added discipline was right at the top of his agenda.
"The allegations made against the England team were serious - we can't have that for our players, for our team, for our sport," he said.
"It is not what we are about. The England team has never had it before - and we should never have it again.
"When the players come together in August, in the light of what has happened, it is something that is pretty much top of the agenda.
"If all players in English, British rugby haven't learned a lesson from what's gone on they will never learn a lesson. (...)
"We will address the issues. The behaviour things we are talking about - the late nights and females in hotels - are important.
"There are certain things that will be non-negotiable, but there are other things you want the players to agree with and want themselves.
"You can write down a code of conduct on a piece of paper, but the guys need to have a set of behaviours they adhere to within a team."
There are four uncapped players in Johnson's group, including New Zealand Maori international Riki Flutey, who will be eligible to play for England from September having satisfied residency requirements.
The other newcomers are Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley, London Irish lock Nick Kennedy and Leicester back-row forward Jordan Crane.
Wasps full-back Josh Lewsey returns to the senior England fold for the first time since last year's World Cup while Leicester duo Harry Ellis and Lewis Moody return from long-term injuries.
Injured flyhalf Danny Cipriani is included in the Saxons squad although he is not due to make his comeback from a serious ankle injury until after the November Tests.
England 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)
AFP
