England drop Haskell but name six new faces in elite squad

England coach Stuart Lancaster has brought six new players into his elite squad, but flanker James Haskell has been left out.

Forwards Dave Attwood, Matt Kvesic and Billy Vunipola are included, as are centre Kyle Eastmond and wings Marland Yarde and Christian Wade.

Haskell, 28, who has 47 England caps, has dropped down to the Saxons, as have Jonathan Joseph and David Strettle.

"This was the toughest EPS selection we've had to make," said Lancaster.

England are next in action in November's autumn internationals, when they play Australia, Argentina and New Zealand between 2 and 16 November.

Both the England senior and Saxons squads will meet up in Loughborough on 11 August.

Saracens number eight Vunipola, Gloucester flanker Kvesic, Bath centre Eastmond and wingers Yarde and Wade all made their international debuts during England's series victory over Argentina in the summer.

Wade, scorer of 18 tries in 26 appearances for Wasps last season, was called up to the Lions squad this summer, just hours before he was set to win his second England cap.

He is joined in the 33-man squad by London Irish's Yarde, 21, who scored twice on his debut in England's 51-26 second Test victory over Argentina.

"Christian Wade and Marland Yarde brought their outstanding Premiership form to the tour," said Lancaster.

"Kyle Eastmond showed the potential he has and by including him in the squad we get a chance to work with him some more as we build towards the autumn internationals.

"Up front David Attwood adds a physical presence to the second row and in Matt Kvesic and Billy Vunipola we have young back-row players who will challenge our more established back row players hard."

Dylan Hartley is named in the squad despite the hooker's 11-week ban for a red card during last season's Premiership final.

"I had a long hard think about it and a long conversation with him," said Lancaster. "I wanted to be reassured that he understands where the line is, what is right and what is wrong.

"He accepts that and he knows he needs a strong start to the season."

Full elite squad:

Forwards:

Props: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Alex Corbisiero (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), David Wilson (Bath Rugby). Hookers: Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers). Locks: David Attwood (Bath Rugby), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers). Back-rows: Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints).

Backs:

Back three: Chris Ashton (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Ben Foden (Northampton Saints), Alex Goode (Saracens), Christian Wade (London Wasps), Marland Yarde (London Irish). Centres: Brad Barritt (Saracens), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby). Fly-halves: Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers). Scrum-halves: Danny Care (Harlequins), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).