World Cup - England coach Brian Ashton will announce his 40-strong preliminary World Cup squad on June 15, 10 days before they gather for a training camp in Portugal.

Following the ill-fated tour to South Africa, where England conceded more than 50 points in both Tests, Ashton will be keen to welcome back the majority of his senior internationals for the 12-day training camp on the Algarve.

Ashton was without players from Leicester, Wasps and Bath in South Africa owing to their club commitments in European competition, and has also been missing a several players to injury.

Certain to be named for the training camp are the likes of Martin Corry, Phil Vickery, Joe Worsley, Danny Grewcock and Josh Lewsey, all unavailable for South Africa, while Ashton also recently hinted at a recall for former England skipper Lawrence Dallaglio.

There could also be places for Wasps' Danny Cipriani and Bath's Nick Abendanon, who have been in outstanding form for their clubs and the England Saxons.

Abendanon already has some England experience after answering an emergency call-up owing to injury and sickness to the squad in South Africa.

The England manager must name his final World Cup squad on August 14, though the IRB are considering an extension to this deadline.

England have World Cup warm-up games with Wales on August 4 and France on August 11 and 18.

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Terence O'Rorke