England releases eight players ahead of Samoa Test
England coach Martin Johnson has released eight players from his England squad ahead of their Test with Samoa at Twickenham on 20 November.
England will retain 25 players in the squad and Johnson is expected to name his team and match day squad of 22 on Wednesday 17 November.
David Strettle, George Chuter, Anthony Allen, Paul Doran-Jones, Tim Payne, Joe Worsley and Dominic Waldouck are all released and will rejoin their clubs ahead of their Aviva Premiership fixtures.
Centre Riki Flutey is also released as his injured calf has not completely healed. The centre is expected to be available for England’s last Test against the Springboks on Saturday 27 November.
Bath’s Matt Banahan, Stade Francais’ James Haskell and Gloucester lock Dave Attwood are the only players to make the cut, who were not involved in the 22-man squad in England’s 35-18 win over Australia.
However, Martin Johnson is expected to make changes to the team that defeated the Wallabies and Matt Banahan seems likely to be included in the match day 22.
The player was not released to take part in Baths LV= Cup match against Wasps and he is now expected to be included on the substitutes' bench.
After Bath's 18-16 loss to Wasps, head coach Steve Meehan told reporters that, “England told me that Matt will be in the 22 next weekend."
Johnson is also likely to give a number of the substitutes in the Australian game a start against Samoa.
The likes of flanker Hendrie Fourie, winger Delon Armitage and hooker Steve Thompson are all expected to be given an opportunity to impress and play some Test rugby ahead of the match with the Springboks.
Johnson will be eager to give some of his squad some game time, but he will also want a good performance against the Samoans who ran Ireland close in a 20-10 loss last weekend.
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