Fourie and Thompson return to Headingley

LEEDS CARNEGIE’S Hendre Fourie and Steve Thompson were yesterday among 18 players released from England’s Six Nations squad by manager Martin Johnson to play for their clubs this weekend.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Feb 2011, 08:13 BST

The Leeds duo will return to a Headingley club still reeling from yesterday’s shock departure of director of rugby Andy Key, but both forwards will play some part in Sunday’s Premiership clash at Saracens.

Among the others released by Johnson were Jonny Wilkinson, who had returned to Toulon earlier this week while London Irish prop Alex Corbisiero is the only member of the starting XV that beat Italy last weekend to be released for Premiership action.

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Corbisiero came into the team for Andrew Sheridan, who was ruled out with a back injury but is available to play for Sale at Harlequins. Bath centre Matt Banahan, Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care and Northampton’s Phil Dowson were also released.

Johnson also allowed Leicester pair George Chuter and George Skivington to leave the camp, along with Wasps trio Riki Flutey, Tim Payne and Joe Simpson plus Bath full-back Nick Abendanon, Gloucester prop Paul Doran-Jones and Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson.

Related topics:Six NationsEnglandSteve Thompson