World Cup - England's preliminary World Cup squad departs for a training camp in Portugal on Monday. Eurosport.Yahoo.co.uk looks at some of the players needing to impress coach Brian Ashton to further their chances of making the final World Cup squad.

Ashton has named a 47-strong party for the trip to the Algarve so he can cast an eye over as many players as possible.

England, by their own admission, are far from the finished article - Ashton claims to know only five of his starters - so there are still many places up for grabs.

Here are a few players who will hope to further their cause and win a trip to France later this year.

NICK EASTER (Harlequins)

Has impressed for Quins under coach Dean Richards and played a crucial role in their return to the Premiership before helping secure a spot in next season's Heineken Cup. First capped in this year's Six Nations victory over France, Easter (pictured) was one of the few players on the tour to South Africa who returned with his reputation enhanced. A wily ball carrier and solid in defence, Easter faces stiff competition for the back-row spots and may suffer from a lack of real pace.

FRASER WATERS (Wasps)

On the fringes of England selection since winning his first cap back in 2001. Missed out on the 2003 World Cup but his performances for Wasps earned him a recall for the 2004 Summer Tour. An ankle injury sidelined him for all of 2004-5 while the following season also restricted by injury. But the 29-year-old was back to his best in the last Premiership campaign and was voted man-of-the match in Wasps' thrilling Heineken Cup final win over Leicester. A formidable tackler, Fraser might just get the nod over some of the younger backs.

MATT STEVENS (Bath)

First brought into the England fold in 2003 by Clive Woodward for the non-cap game with NZ Barbarians. Then 21, he appeared to have a long England future ahead of him, but knee and shoulder injuries have restricted him to just 11 caps. After a shoulder operation in the winter, he was back to his best for Bath at the tail-end of last season and answered an SOS call to join the tour of South Africa, where he was on holiday in Cape Town. Coped well against the Springboks. An impressive scrummager and surprisingly mobile, South Africa-born Stevens can play both sides of the front row. At 19 stones, he also has the precious commodity of size.

NICK ABENDANON (Bath)

Like Stevens, Abendanon answered an emergency call-up for the tour of South Africa and won his first cap as a replacement in the second Test. An attacking full-back, Abendanon caught the eye during what was a difficult season for Bath. His pace and evasive running saw him drafted into the England Sevens squad last season and he was further rewarded with a place in the England Saxons for the 2007 Churchill Cup. England have another five players in their training squad who have played full-back and this World Cup may have come a little early for the South Africa-born 20-year-old.

MARK REGAN (Bristol)

Made his England debut back in 1995, Regan has made a late bid for selection following an impressive season with Bristol and admirable effort in South Africa, where he was a constant thorn in the side of the Springboks pack. A British Lion in 1997, Regan was part of England's victorious 2003 World Cup squad. A decent scrummager and line-out operator, but not the most dynamic with the ball in hand. Also lacks the bulk of most international hookers. Competing with George Chuter and Lee Mears for the number two jersey. Aged 35, Ashton may just be using his experience and leadership for the training camp. But he has surprised us before and could do so again.

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Terence O'Rorke