By Country / England

Martin Johnson has sent out a ruthless message by wielding the axe to a number of his senior World Cup winning soldiers in his first England squad.

2003 heroes, Mike Tindall, Joe Worsley and Ben Kay are the highest profile names to take the plunge while Charlie Hodgson's misery deepens by missing out entirely

PRA Player of the Year, Riki Flutey is one of four uncapped players in the party alongside promising hooker Dylan Hartley, London Irish lock Nick Kennedy and Leicester back-row forward Jordan Crane.

Josh Lewsey, Harry Ellis and Lewis Moody returns to the fold while Jonny Wilkinson is the only recognised fly-half with utility trio, Shane Geraghty, Toby Flood and Olly Barkley providing alternative options at ten.

Interestingly, three our of the 'Auckland Four' don't make the cut, with only Danny Care named in the 32-man squad, as Topsy Ojo, Mike Brown and David Strettle stick with the Saxons, as does Danny Cipriani, who is recovering from an ankle injury that rules him our of the summer tour to New Zealand.

Others including Michael Lipman, Richard Wigglesworth and Nick Easter also miss out.

England senior squad

Forwards: S Borthwick (Saracens), G Chuter (Leicester), J Crane (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell (Wasps), N Kennedy (London Irish), L Mears (Bath), L Moody (Leicester), L Narraway (Gloucester), T Palmer (Wasps), T Payne (Wasps), T Rees (London Wasps), S Shaw (Wasps), A Sheridan (Sale), M Stevens (Bath), P Vickery (Wasps).

Backs: O Barkley (Gloucester), D Care (Harlequins), H Ellis (Leicester), T Flood (Leicester), R Flutey (Wasps), S Geraghty (London Irish), D Hipkiss (Leicester), J Lewsey (Wasps), J Noon (Newcastle), P Richards (London Irish), P Sackey (Wasps), J Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), M Tait (Sale), T Varndell (Leicester), J Wilkinson (Newcastle).

England Saxons

Forwards: S Armitage (London Irish), R Blaze (Leicester), L Deacon (Leicester), N Easter (Harlequins), J Forster (Gloucester), T Guest (Harlequins), J Hobson (Bristol), C Jones (Sale), B Kay (Leicester), M Lipman (Bath), D Paice (London Irish), G Skivington (Wasps), A Titterrell (Gloucester), J Ward (Wasps), D Wilson (Newcastle), N Wood (Gloucester), J Worsley (Wasps).

Backs: N Abendanon (Bath), A Allen (Gloucester), M Banahan (Bath), M Brown (Harlequins), D Cipriani (Wasps), B Foden (Northampton), A Goode (Leicester), P Hodgson (London Irish), R Lamb (Gloucester), U Monye (Harlequins), T Ojo (London Irish), D Strettle (Harlequins), M Tindall (Gloucester), D Waldouck (Wasps), R Wigglesworth (Sale).

It's already been labelled as 'No Excuse Tuesday.' Martin Johnson formally waltzes down the RFU red carpet on the pay-roll as England's team manager under the new agreement between the Rugby Football Union and Premier Rugby Limited.

While the coaches finally breath a sigh of relief with the players now enjoying extended hours under their command. So more time to head out on the juice with lots of fancy ladies then? Not at all, as Johnson will employ the first signs of his ruthless regime.

A party of 32 players will form the inaugural Elite Player Squad, but there is equally as much interest in the coaching department, especially as the players believe the coaching they receive at club level far outweighs the standards dropped at international level.

Let's hope Brian Smith is the first of a string of changes to the coaching panel. The London Irish coach is the favourite to become the boss of the backs, but with criticism over Mike Ford's defence capabilities coming louder than a kiddies party at Megabowl, Smith may be the first of several new faces. It's a results game after all.

But what of the 32. It would be easy to turn back to the experienced pro's of the black & white era, but with the new laws about to kick in, Johnson would be unwisely elbowed into picking some of his old cronies such as Phil Vickery and Mike Tindall.

There are a few gems to get excited about. Starting at the back, Ben Foden is an exceptionally talented runner of the ball, who pops up on the shoulder as well as in midfield. Matt Banahan proved with the Saxons he is a potent finisher, who doesn't shy away from contact and would compliment the predatory skills of Tom Varndell and Topsy Ojo.

Riki Flutey must get his opportunity. His contribution to the Wasps back line this season cannot be underestimated and Shaun Edwards likens him to "an extra back-rower" in defence so ticks more than one of the problem boxes. Toby Flood and Olly Barkley can both operate at fly-half and posses the attributes to become the perfect foil for Danny Cipriani.

The scrum-halves were indifferent in New Zealand, proving Harry Ellis is still the best around, but Danny Care has the sparkling credentials to cause havoc off the bench, and Foden is an able third choice.

In the engine room, Jordan Crane's consistency must be rewarded, while Dylan Hartley and Nick Kennedy's boisterous attitude and willing athleticism around the park will reap rich pickings in the next 12 months with more experience.

ScrumoftheEarth's England squad

Backs: J Lewsey (Wasps) B Foden (Northampton Saints) T Varndell (Leicester Tigers) P Sackey (Wasps) M Banahan (Bath) T Ojo (London Irish) R Flutey (Wasps) D Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers) M Tait (Sale Sharks) O Barkley (Gloucester) D Cipriani (Wasps) (R Lamb [Gloucester] for November) T Flood (Leicester Tigers) H Ellis (Leicester Tigers) D Care (Harlequins)

Forwards: J Crane (Leicester Tigers) L Narraway (Gloucester) J Haskell (Wasps) T Rees (Wasps) T Croft (Leicester Tigers) L Moody (Leicester Tigers) M Lipman (Bath) N Kennedy (London Irish) S Borthwick (Saracens) T Palmer (Wasps) S Shaw (Wasps) T Payne (Wasps) A Sheridan (Sale Sharks)  M Stevens (Bath) J Hobson (Bristol) L Mears (Bath) D Hartley (Northampton Saints) D Paice (London Irish)

Another mess, another report, another lengthy deliberation - Rob Andrew produced his tour report at Twickenham yesterday, knowing his position could be in jeopardy if he continues to make excuses and sidesteps his own frailties as the man in charge of Elite rugby.

Jeff Blackett, the Rugby Football Union's disciplinary officer, conformed with RFU protocol by insisting he would take as long as it takes to uncover the truth behind the allegations of sexual misconduct against four England players.

If there is any evidence of criminality the Auckland Four could be in deepest darkest water with Martin Johnson, who has already casted a frown eye upon the fun off the field outweighing that on it.

Blackett hoped to have it all done and dusted before Johnson announces his 32 Elite Player Squad on July 1, but sweeping it underneath the RFU's pristine red carpet is not an option, so expect the saga to rumble on for weeks - no change there then. And by the way, just where are we with Brian Ashton?

The Auckland Four AKA Harlequins trio Danny Care, David Strettle, Mike Brown and London Irish wing Topsy Ojo were revealed in The London Sun on Tuesday.

Innocent until proven otherwise, two of the players reportedly accept they had consensual sex with an 18-year-old lapdancer while two admit to watching.

All four deny any shifty allegations and are desperate to clear their name, but have been banned from speaking out, so as yet cannot proclaim their innocence.

A source close to the team said: 'The players involved feel under pressure and angry. They are single guys who said they did nothing wrong. Players who had nothing to do with it are furious too. The whole squad feels it will stay under a shadow until the air is cleared.'

No formal complaint has been made while the players have been allowed to leave with their teammates, arriving back at Heathrow on Monday.

However, it is now believed that up to nine players were involved in two separate incidents at the team hotel.

According to the News of the World, Strettle was reported to have spent the night with a blonde dressed as Alice in Wonderland, that very same night, leading to further embarrassment for the RFU.