WASPS SCRUM-HALF Joe Simpson has been handed a prized spot in Martin Johnson’s 30-man World Cup squad, despite the fact that he is yet to start a senior game for England.
The 23-year-old, born in Sydney but eligible for England by virtue of his father, has been called into the panel as one of three scrum-halves after Danny Care was ruled out with a toe injury.
Simpson’s Wasps clubmate Riki Flutey is the most notable omission from the squad which is made up of 17 forwards and 13 backs.
Bath flanker Lewis Moody will captain the side, while Johnson has also named a ten-man reserve list which he can call upon if any injuries are picked up during the game against Ireland this weekend.
“There were some very tough phone calls made last week,” the England coach said this evening.
“Everybody came into this camp and worked extremely hard and some players have just missed out.”
For us now though it is important to look forward – there is great sense of unity in this group and we are pleased with the depth across the squad.
England begin their World Cup campaign against Argentina on 10 September.
Backs: Delon Armitage, Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Mark Cueto, Matt Banahan, Shontayne Hape, Mike Tindall, Manu Tuilagi, Toby Flood, Jonny Wilkinson, Joe Simpson, Richard Wigglesworth, Ben Youngs.
Forwards: Dan Cole, Alex Corbisiero, Andrew Sheridan, Matt Stevens, David Wilson, Dylan Hartley, Lee Mears, Steve Thompson, Louis Deacon, Courtney Lawes, Tom Palmer, Simon Shaw, Tom Croft, Nick Easter, James Haskell, Lewis Moody, Tom Wood.
Replacements: Charlie Hodgson, Charlie Sharples, Chris Robshaw, Danny Care, Hendre Fourie, Mouritz Botha, Paul Doran Jones, Riki Flutey , Tim Payne, Ugo Monye.
