England rugby coach Stuart Lancaster has cut his extended 50-man World Cup squad to 45 as the team prepares to fly to Denver to continue their World Cup preparations.
Nick Easter, Stephen Myler and Ed Slater have all been omitted from England’s travelling party while youngsters Elliot Daly and Maro Itoje also miss the flight stateside.
It is the first of many cuts Lancaster will have to make before he finalises his 31-man squad on August 31, as Easter remains in London to continue treatment on his injured back while Myler, Daly, Itoje and Slater have been put on standby.
Speaking before the team’s departure to Denver, Lancaster confirmed that Easter’s omission is due to injury while Lancaster holds hope for Daly and Itoje’s futures, labelling the pair as “bright young players”.
“Elliot and Maro have fitted in and trained well and it’s been great for them to be in this environment,” said Lancaster.
“They are both young players who have bright futures. They have made a great impression and I am sure other opportunities will come for both of them further down the line.
Meanwhile Nick Easter will stay with club side Harlequins as he continues to recover from a back injury as Lancaster does not want to risk further aggravation through travel.
“Nick will stay for treatment on his back rather than risk aggravating it further with travel,” he said.
“We look forward to him rejoining the squad in August when we will review the squad and also consider those who have been unable to begin the camp after suffering injuries at the end of last season.”
England’s 45-man squad will spend two weeks in Rugby Town USA in Glendale, Colorado, as Lancaster and his coaching staff look to take full advantage of Denver’s high altitude as part of their preparations for September’s home World Cup.
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