Brian Ashton said today:  "I've had to make some very difficult decisions in reducing the RWC training squad to 30. I'd like to thank all 47 members of the original squad who all put in a tremendous amount of effort into their work with us and their attitude throughout has been first class.

"I spoke to each of the players who would not be involved in the final 30 yesterday and they were all obviously very disappointed not be included but I stressed to each of them that they could be invited back if a member of the squad suffers an injury either before or during the RWC.
 
"Mike Tindall has worked very hard to recover from his injury and he was running last week but it was agreed by the coaches that he and Charlie Hodgson, who is fit but like Mike has not played top level rugby for a number of months, could not use the final warm up test or the RWC pool games as part of their rehab. Both of them have done everything that has been asked of them and I wish them both well with their return to their clubs and the other players who have not made the final 30.
 
"I will announce the team to play France in our final warm up game in Marseilles this weekend on Tuesday."

England RWC 2007 Squad (30)