Thirty-two men have been named in England's elite rugby union squad and it is fair to say that, as with all top level international outfits, there are a few surprises in new supremo Martin Johnson's selection.

First-choice centre and lock Mike Tindall and Ben Kay are the highest-profile casualties, making only the second-string Saxons squad, while fly-half Charlie Hodgson misses out altogether after a nightmare tour of New Zealand.

In all, 13 unlucky players who toured New Zealand missed out on elite selection, including well-publicised naughty boys David Strettle and Topsy Ojo. Johnson frankly stated that most changes had been necessary after the 2-0 series thrashing at the hands of the All Blacks.

“I don’t think there is a tougher task than going to play New Zealand away”, said the new England supremo. “What did we find out? Some of the players stood up and competed well, and I think we found out something about everyone who went on that tour, and that is factored in the squad we have named.

“We were beaten in those two matches by a very good New Zealand team. We have to compete with then and become a better rugby team”.

The unfortunate reality for Johnson is that the tour was a disaster, considering England’s status as World Cup and Six-Nations runners up and the highest ranked Northern Hemisphere nation. More so when considering that the All Blacks are in theory in a high state of rebuilding than England; and that Johnson's new charges will probably never have had a better chance to record a rare win on New Zealand soil.

Four uncapped players were given a senior call-up to the 32-man group – including New Zealand born Wasps centre Riki Flutey, who was outstanding last season in the Guinness Premiership.  His selection may be a small pointer that selection of ex-pats may be a trend with so many class players from other countries plying their trade in Europe.

The other debutants are London Irish lock Nick Kennedy, Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley and Leicester No.8 Jordan Crane.

Danny Cipriani has been included in the Saxons squad (effectively England A), which demonstrates that English rugby has considerable depth.even though his ankle injury will not see him return to first-class action until late November. This means that Jonny Wilkinson is the only specialist fly-half in the elite squad. However, Toby Flood, Olly Barkley and Shane Geraghty all have the ability to play in the No.10 position.

Returning from injury are Leicester pair Harry Ellis and Lewis Moody, while Josh Lewsey is back at the top level for the first time since the World Cup.

One piece of news that will specifically benefit England rugby and the international game is that there is an official agreement between clubs and the RFU, meaning that Johnson will have complete control over his players in specific windows around the autumn internationals.

This is crucial, as England will host the three Tri-Nations teams at Twickenham. The jobs of Johnson and his men will not be any easier - but not having the elite squad held to proverbial ransom by the leading clubs will enhance their chances.

The talent of the squad is undoubted, but the real benefit will come with the astute signing of former London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith, whose pedigree comes from coaching in Australia, and being involved with the ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, Bath and Japanese club Ricoh. His performance with London Irish involved taking them into the top four of the Premiership in 2005, and losing to Toulouse in last year’s Heineken Cup semi-finals.

With England stuck in permanent pragmatism for the last four years, it will be the evolution of their playing style that will determine how they compete with the imposing Southern giants.

Elite Squad: Forwards: S Borthwick (Saracens), G Chuter (Leicester), J Crane (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell (Wasps), N Kennedy (London Irish), L Mears (Bath), L Moody (Leicester), L Narraway (Gloucester), T Palmer (Wasps), T Payne (Wasps), T Rees (London Wasps), S Shaw (Wasps), A Sheridan (Sale), M Stevens (Bath), P Vickery (Wasps).

Backs: O Barkley (Gloucester), D Care (Harlequins), H Ellis (Leicester), T Flood (Leicester), R Flutey (Wasps), S Geraghty (London Irish), D Hipkiss (Leicester), J Lewsey (Wasps), J Noon (Newcastle), P Richards (London Irish), P Sackey (Wasps), J Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), M Tait (Sale), T Varndell (Leicester), J Wilkinson (Newcastle).