World Cup heroes miss out

Matt Dawson and Mike Catt, two of England's World Cup-winning heroes, have failed to make the 40-strong squad for next month's internationals with Canada, South African and Australia at Twickenham.

England's World Cup stars were at Buckingham Palace today to be honoured with MBEs or OBEs.

But Dawson was left out of the latest squad by new coach Andy Robinson for fulfilling a commitment to appear as a captain on the BBC's Question of Sport.

Catt has been impressing for London Irish at centre and No10, although it was not enough to win a recall to a squad shaped by retirements and injury.

Robinson has named Jonny Wilkinson, his injured captain, along with hooker Steve Thompson, who is out with rib damage, and Phil Vickery, the Gloucester prop returning after neck surgery.

He is hoping this trio can regain enough fitness and form to play some part, although their clubs view this as wishful thinking.

Robinson has accepted the need to bolster the squad and called in Sale wing Mark Cueto, who has been in outstanding try-scoring form, and Newcastle scrum-half Hall Charlton.