JSD - in

By Cherry Picker
July 1 2008

There were mixed fortunes for Gloucester players when England manager Martin Johnson announced his first elite player squad. With 12 players demoted from the senior squad to the Saxons, and several other big names ignored altogether, Johnson has made it clear he means business, and Glaws players aren’t the only ones on the receiving end.

World Cup-winning centre Mike Tindall (right) drops down into the Saxons squad, while winger Lesley Vainikolo is rewarded for a frustrating Six Nations series by being dropped altogether.
Given a chance to play for his adopted country by Brian Ashton, but hardly given a chance to do his stuff in some stuttering England performances, big Les will have to demonstrate again what he can do when the new season kicks off in September.
He was not given a chance to show his value in his first handful of England games, whether he will get more chances unbder the new regime at Twickers remains to be seen.
But to be left out alogether, as he has been, is a bit of a slap in the face for the big man.
Meanwhile, James Simpson-Daniel is given a chance to put his England injury hoodoo behind him, and he is joined in the senior squad by Luke Narraway and new Glaws colleague Olly Barkley (left).
Alongside Tindall in the Saxons squad are Nick Wood, Jack Forster, Andy Titterrell, Ryan Lamb and Anthony Allen and Johnson said: “We always knew there would be 40 plus players who could make the 32 and if they didn't make it they'd have to drop down into the Saxons.
"It was a very tough call on Mike (Tindall), the same with Ben Kay and Nick Easter."  
Full squad and Johnson comments on BBC Sport.

Main dates:

NEWCASTLE have signed Glaws back row Adam Balding, who spent most of last season on loan at Leeds. He made 60 appearances for Glaws.

Mixed news for Glaws stars in England squad

Discussion started by Shedloads (IP Logged), 01/07/2008 18:55

Shedloads
01/07/2008 18:55

Mixed news for Glaws stars in England squad

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The man with the plan
01/07/2008 21:24

Yeah, it could have been better news. It's a shame they still got Sinbad, Nazz and Olly Barkley.

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cheerycherry
02/07/2008 00:42

Im pleased for Luke Narraway he thoroughly deserves it, he has been superb since there were big question marks over his future at the start of last season. He knuckled down and has got his rewards, he needs to carry on next season especially with Delve crocked. Tinds is unlucky considering he has been dropped for Noon but Tindall didnt have a good tour. Great that Sinbad is obviously in Johnsons thoughts and I think Wood is unlucky not to be picked over Payne who doesnt offer anything better than Wood.

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Two Sheds
02/07/2008 10:21

Clubs get £146,250 for every player called into the senior squad. multiply that by three, and it's not a bad sum to pay for cover.

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cheerycherry
02/07/2008 12:13

Is that official? I thought they had not agreed on how to divide the RFU monies between the clubs. Last I heard there were rumours of all clubs getting an equal slice so Glaws get the same money as Wuss do for supplying no-one.

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Two Sheds
02/07/2008 12:36

Read it in the Times ... right down near the end of the article.

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TheMundo
03/07/2008 20:20

Great! We can go and employ some more South Sea Islanders.

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