Fourie and Flutey out as Simpson makes England’s World Cup squad

Specialist openside Fourie has been left out of Johnson’s 30-man squad to make way for returning captain Lewis Moody - on his way back from a knee injury - and Nick Easter, Tom Croft, Tom Wood and James Haskel.

Moody, a World Cup winner in 2003 and runner-up in 2007, will captain England on their voyage to New Zealand despite not yet being fully fit.

Uncapped Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson was promoted into Martin Johnson’s 30-man squad after Danny Care injured his toe in England’s World Cup warm-up defeat to Wales in Cardiff and was ruled out of contention.

The 23-year-old will travel as England’s third specialist scrum-half behind Ben Youngs, who is back in training after a knee operation, and Richard Wigglesworth.

Johnson had considered taking only two scrum-halves to New Zealand, with Ben Foden and Flutey to provide emergency back-up.

But the ripple effect of England’s decision to take three specialists ultimately left no space in the final squad, which is comprised of 17 forwards and 13 backs, for Flutey.

“The composition of the squad is very important and we think we have the right mix in the group,” said Johnson.

“There were some very tough phone calls made last week. Everybody came into this camp and worked extremely hard and some players have just missed out.

“For us now though it is important to look forward - there is a great sense of unity in this group and we are pleased with the depth across the squad.

“We have a number of leaders and experienced players and have named Lewis Moody as squad captain. We are confident he will play a pivotal role for us in New Zealand.”

While Flutey would have offered a ball-playing presence in midfield and the versatility to cover both fly-half and scrum-half, England have opted for four heavy-duty centres.

Leicester powerhouse Manu Tuilagi, who made a try-scoring debut against Wales at Twickenham, has made the final cut along with Mike Tindall and the versatile Matt Banahan.

England will travel with Shontayne Hape as their only recognised inside centre, which could open the way for Toby Flood to see some action in the 12 jersey.

Flood and Jonny Wilkinson are the only fly-halves in the squad, Mark Cueto and Chris Ashton the only recognised wings.

Banahan and Simpson are both able to fill in out wide while full-backs Foden and Delon Armitage complete a 13-strong backs contingent.

Up front, England have opted for five props - Dan Cole, Matt Stevens, Andrew Sheridan, Alex Corbisiero and David Wilson - and four locks.

Dylan Hartley, Steve Thompson and Lee Mears were confirmed as the three travelling hookers after phase one of the England’s summer training camp, when George Chuter was cut from the squad.

Johnson had been considering taking only three locks and utilising Tom Croft or Nick Easter as an emergency second row but England have decided to take four.

Veteran Simon Shaw has been picked alongside Courtney Lawes, Louis Deacon and Tom Palmer, leaving only five back-row places available.

England’s 30-man Rugby World Cup squad, Forwards: D Cole (Leicester Tigers), A Corbisiero (London Irish), T Croft (Leicester Tigers), L Deacon (Leicester Tigers), N Easter (Harlequins), D Hartley (Northampton Saints), J Haskell (Ricoh Black Rams), C Lawes (Northampton Saints), L Mears (Bath Rugby), L Moody (Bath Rugby), T Palmer (Stade Francais), S Shaw (Unattached), A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), M Stevens (Saracens), S Thompson (London Wasps), D Wilson (Bath Rugby), T Wood (Northampton Saints).

Backs: D Armitage (London Irish), C Ashton (Northampton Saints), M Banahan (Bath Rugby), M Cueto (Sale Sharks), T Flood (Leicester Tigers), B Foden (Northampton Saints), S Hape (London Irish), J Simpson (London Wasps), M Tindall (Gloucester Rugby), M Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), J Wilkinson (Toulon) B Youngs (Leicester Tigers).