Martin Corry has been spared England's two-Test summer tour of Australia as head coach Andy Robinson targets producing players in the "best physical shape possible" for their World Cup defence next year.
England skipper Corry has seen the leadership reins handed to Worcester flanker Pat Sanderson for matches against Australia in Sydney on June 11th and Melbourne six days later.
Robinson announces a 30-man squad at Twickenham on Monday morning and other confirmed non-starters include Ben Cohen, Steve Thompson, Andrew Sheridan, Matt Stevens and Shaun Perry, while Wasps pair Lawrence Dallaglio and Josh Lewsey are also expected to remain at home. Leicester wing Tom Varndell, Newcastle centre Mathew Tait and Sale Sharks flanker Magnus Lund are all probable travellers.
Corry leads Leicester into the Premiership play-off against London Irish at Welford Road tomorrow. The exiles welcome back centre Mike Catt and flanker Olivier Magne.
In the Celtic League last night, Glasgow Warriors defeated the Llanelli Scarlets 17-10 at Firhill to keep their hopes of European Cup rugby alive.
