England manager Martin Johnson has sent a clear message that players who move to play club rugby in France are putting their international careers in jeopardy when he named his 32-man elite squad for the season.

Jonny Wilkinson, who has moved to Toulon having missed most of last season through injury, and Riki Flutey, about to start with Brive, were included but a host of other France-based players were left out.

James Haskell, Tom Palmer and Tom May, who have all moved to French clubs for the new season, and Brive regulars Andy Goode, first-choice flyhalf for most of last season, and Steve Thompson were all left out of the squad.

None of them even made the 32-man second-string Saxons squad, with Johnson saying their progress "would be monitored."

Danny Cipirani also remains out of favour as the flyhalf was included in Saxons.

"Our selections include players based in France and Rob Andrew and I have had extensive discussions with the French clubs, who have recruited English players and these have gone well," Johnson said in a statement.

"We are looking forward to continuing the positive working relationship with them, which worked so well last season."

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