Tindall: Overlooked by England

Tindall's 75-cap Test career appears to be over after he was predictably left out of the new England elite squad announced on Wednesday by interim red rose boss Stuart Lancaster.

The Gloucester star was fined £25,000 by the Rugby Football Union and removed from England's elite group earlier this season following his off-field behaviour during a demoralising World Cup campaign in New Zealand.

Tindall subsequently had the fine reduced by £10,000 on appeal and gained a squad reinstatement. He claimed he had been made "a scapegoat" after what many people viewed as a heavy-handed punishment.

But together with the likes of fellow World Cup performers Mark Cueto and Nick Easter, the 33-year-old now finds himself ditched from England contention.

"It seems to crop up in the media, people discussing whether Mike can cope with it or not," Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath said, when asked about Tindall's England fall from grace.

With Gloucester's midfield resources now back to strength, Redpath will look at two from a group including Tindall, England Saxons' Henry Trinder, Samoan international Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu and the promising Tim Molenaar as starting centres.

Since returning from the World Cup, Tindall has featured mainly at inside centre for Gloucester alongside Trinder.

"Thirteen is Mike's best position, rather than 12. Defensively, he is very, very good in that area and it allows Mike and Henry to battle out the 13 slot.

"We just need to get on with that. Mike is a senior player, he is here - he is not involved with any international teams - and his focus is solely here."

Despite playing some thrilling rugby at times this season, Gloucester gained just one elite squad call-up in wing Charlie Sharples, although five others - Trinder, Jonny May, Freddie Burns, Nick Wood and Luke Narraway - feature for the Saxons.

Sharples was capped during England's series of World Cup warm-up Tests last August, but he missed out in the final group cut by then manager Martin Johnson prior to departure for New Zealand.

"It is relief, enjoyment, enjoyment, a whole mixture of feelings," said 22-year-old Sharples.

"I set this as my target coming off the back of the World Cup. After being involved last summer, I'd had a taste and I wanted more.

"That was my goal - to push on and try to get back into the mix this year. I am just really happy that I have managed to do that.

"You always want to be moving upwards and progressing, and I feel that is happening with my rugby.

"I was disappointed not to go to the World Cup, but then I set my sights on trying to be involved for the Six Nations.

"It is very exciting, and I am looking forward to meeting up with everyone. It's a new sort of start."

Lancaster's group features nine uncapped players, including 25-year-old Wasps hooker Rob Webber, who could find himself providing bench cover for Dylan Hartley when England launch their RBS 6 Nations campaign against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 4.

"I have very worked hard with a lot of other players at Wasps this season, even though things haven't been going our way, and if I got a reward for that by getting the chance to play for England it would be fantastic," Webber said.

"There are some very talented players competing in my position, so I have my work cut out for me, but I recognise what a big opportunity this is for me."

Northampton, meanwhile, can reflect on a Saints landmark of eight players being picked for one international squad, with Hartley, Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Lee Dickson, Courtney Lawes, Calum Clark, Tom Wood and Phil Dowson all being recognised.

"It is fantastic for the club," Northampton rugby director Jim Mallinder said.

"To have 10 people - including eight out of the 32-man England (elite) squad, or 25% - is tremendous. It is credit to all of those players who have worked hard and justified their selection."

And Aviva Premiership leaders Harlequins' superb season has been rewarded with four players - Chris Robshaw, Joe Marler, Jordan Turner-Hall and Mike Brown - making the senior group, and a further five gaining Saxons representation.

"I was fortunate enough to have played for England against the Barbarians (in a non-cap game in 2009)," uncapped centre Turner-Hall said.

"Although I enjoyed the experience, I don't think I was truly ready. I feel I am now, and I am looking forward to being a part of this exciting squad."