FOUR Newcastle Falcons players have been named in England's 47-man training squad for this autumn's Rugby World Cup.
Jonny Wilkinson, Mathew Tait, Toby Flood and Jamie Noon have all been named in Brian Ashton's first cut of players for the tournament in France.
The quartet, who were all involved in the recent tour of South Africa, will hope to retain their place when Ashton names his final World Cup squad later this summer.
Veteran Wasps back row Lawrence Dallaglio is one of 24 forwards to have been named in the training squad, while Charlie Hodgson, Mike Tindall, Dan Ward-Smith and Andrew Sheridan have all recovered from long-term injuries to take their place.
* Read the full story in tomorrow's 16-page Northern Echo sports pull-out.
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