LONDON—World Cup winning duo Jonny Wilkinson and Steve Thompson were named in England's 32-man squad for the November internationals against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand, the Rugby Football Union said on Monday.
Flyhalf Wilkinson and hooker Thompson, who shared the Sydney field with England manager Martin Johnson in the 2003 World Cup triumph over Australia, have both found form in France.
Wilkinson moved to Toulon in May, kicking 17 points on debut in August, while Thompson, who retired in 2007 because of a neck injury but then repaid his insurance payoff, launched a comeback with Brive later that year and is playing in this season's Heineken Cup.
Johnson, without 12 first-team candidates due to injury, has also included new caps in Bath prop David Barnes, Leicester lock Richard Blaze and 20-year-old Northampton second rower Courtney Lawes.
Among the absentees are British and Irish Lions forwards Phil Vickery and Simon Shaw while backs Delon Armitage and Riki Flutey are also sidelined.
"We've had to make a number of changes to the senior elite performance squad because of injuries but we have strength in depth and each of the players coming in has the opportunity to push themselves into contention for the first match against Australia," Johnson said in a statement.
Saracens lock Steve Borthwick retains the captaincy.
Johnson said all 32 players were eager for three consecutive weeks of high-quality rugby , beginning with Australia on Nov. 7 and followed by Argentina and finally New Zealand on consecutive weeks.
Squad:
Backs: Matt Banahan, Danny Care, Mark Cueto, Ben Foden, Shane Geraghty, Andy Goode, Dan Hipkiss, Paul Hodgson, Ugo Monye, David Strettle, Mathew Tait, Mike Tindall, Richard Wigglesworth, Jonny Wilkinson.
Forwards: Steffon Armitage, David Barnes, Duncan Bell, Richard Blaze, Steve Borthwick, George Chuter, Jordan Crane, Tom Croft, Louis Deacon, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell, Ben Kay, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Moody, Tim Payne, Steve Thompson, David Wilson, Joe Worsley.
