Burrell and Care released for club duty

The two former Leeds Carnegie players were among 10 released back to their Premiership clubs yesterday from England’s training base in West Yorkshire.

With 24 players staying on and matchday squads of 23 for the QBE Internationals which start on Saturday week against Australia, that would suggest that Lancaster already has his playing core in mind.

And in the case of Leeds-born Care that is certainly looking likely with Lee Dickson having jumped the queue in the scrum-half equation after a strong tour in the summer with England and a lively start for Northampton.

Dickson’s Saints team-mate and Huddersfield-born centre Burrell was only ever injury cover, while Pocklington-born Rob Webber will only return from injury this weekend for Bath.

But Lancaster said yesterday that those three and the rest of the players sent back should not give up hope on earning a starting shirt to meet the Wallabies.

“The message to everyone is we will finalise selection on Tuesday after training,” said Lancaster. “From my point of view having met on Monday and then had to immediately give 10 players the message that you’ve got to go back because it’s a big Premiership weekend, is not easy.

“But the lads who do play this weekend have got an opportunity to play and they’ve got next Monday afternoon which will be a pretty competitive session and all day Tuesday when we’ll have a full squad.

“Yesterday (Wednesday) for instance we had to bring Leeds Carnegie’s pack in because there wasn’t everyone there.

“So next Monday we’ll have the full 33 going head to head which makes a big difference. Then we’ll select after that.”

The hit out with the Leeds scrummaging unit occurred yesterday at Carnegie’s Kirkstall base.

Lancaster described it as “relatively low-key” with the serious business to be conducted early next week.

For Care, 26, the below-par form of Harlequins this season allied with a slight back injury have increased the likelihood that Dickson will battle with Ben Youngs for the No 9 shirt.

“Lee Dickson played well in Argentina and when I started in the job in January 2012 he was the Six Nations’ scrum-half and played in big games for us,” explained Lancaster.

“Add to that the start he’s made, where he’s forcing Northampton to play quick by bringing great energy to the team, he’s been outstanding.

“Everyone has to be at the top of their game to get picked because we’re not afraid to change the team.

“We could be in the situation where lads who have been away on the Lions tour will be thinking am I going to get picked?”