Danny Cipriani has been axed from England’s training squad three weeks before Eddie Jones names his final 31 for the World Cup.
The Premiership player of the season is not injured and his omission leaves England with just two specialist fly-halves in Owen Farrell and George Ford.
Jones’ squad flew out to Italy today where they will spend 12 days in a heat camp in Treviso designed to help acclimatise them to the conditions expected in Japan.
The Australian did not mention Cipriani by name, nor Exeter prop Ben Moon who appears to have lost out to the returning Joe Marler.
Jones said only: “We have left some good players doing work at their clubs and they must be ready if called up.”
It was long expected Gloucester playmaker Cipriani would miss the final cut, despite World Cup winner Mike Tindall insisting he must make the trip.
The writing was on the wall after he was dispatched for specialised strength and conditioning training away from the main squad in Bristol last week.
However Sam Underhill and Anthony Watson, who joined Cipriani on the outside, are recalled - along with Harlequins centre Joe Marchant.
“Treviso is a hard yards camp with conditions similar to Tokyo,” Jones said. “Team training will be about being adaptable and off the field enjoying each other’s company."
ENGLAND SQUAD FOR TREVISO TRAINING CAMP
Forwards
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 85 caps)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 11 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 10 caps)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 37 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 27 caps)
George Kruis (Saracens, 32 caps)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 58 caps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 71 caps)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 59 caps)
Brad Shields (Wasps, 8 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 22 caps)
Jack Singleton (Saracens, uncapped)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 41 caps)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 53 caps)
Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 17 caps)
Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons / Sale Sharks, 13 caps)
Backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins, 72 caps)
Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 30 caps)
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 70 caps)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 55 caps)
Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 40 caps)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins, uncapped)
Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 45 caps)
Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 33 caps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps)
Ben Spencer (Saracens, 3 caps)
Ben Te’o (unattached, 18 caps)
Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 32 caps)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 33 caps)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 85 caps)
