Worsley axed from squad

London - England's Joe Worsley will miss the Rugby World Cup after being named as one of five players dropped from Martin Johnson's training squad for the tournament in New Zealand.

Johnson released Worsley, Leicester pair George Chuter and Thomas Waldrom, Saracens wing David Strettle and Gloucester back James Simpson-Daniel on Monday as he ramped up his preparations for the two World Cup warm-up fixtures against Wales.

Wasps back-row forward Worsley -- who made his Test debut in the 1999 World Cup and was part of the victorious squad in 2003 -- had hoped to play in his fourth World Cup, but the 78-cap veteran failed to make the cut for the 40-man squad.

The decision to cut Worsley and Waldrom, who has been struggling with a calf injury, means the Harlequins captain Chris Robshaw is still pushing for World Cup selection.

Chuter's departure leaves England with three hookers in Dylan Hartley, Steve Thompson and Lee Mears - all of whom are now likely to travel to New Zealand.

Strettle and Simpson-Daniel have been overtaken in the pecking order by Gloucester bolter Charlie Sharples and Harlequins wing Ugo Monye.

Johnson is yet to cut any of his seven props or his five second row players.