WILL CARLING has been omitted from the England squad for the first time since he made his international debut in 1988, sparking fresh speculation that the former England captain may have played his last game for his country.
Yesterday the English Rugby Football Union (RFU) were swift to insist that Carling, who has 66 caps, had been left out purely as an interim measure. but the decision was interpreted in some quarters as the first tentative move towards easing him into international retirement.
Carling's midfield partner Jeremy Guscott, together with the veterans Rory Underwood and Dean Richards - all members of last season's championship-winning side - have also been omitted from the 43-man squad chosen to attend next week's preseason training session at Bisham Abbey.
In addition, four senior Bath and England players, Jon Callard, Victor Ubogu, Graham Dawe and Andy Robinson, have been left out. There is little doubt that birth certificates, not just recent form, will be scrutinised closely when the England manager, Jack Rowell, comes to recommend those players who should be given lucrative RFU contracts next season.
In the short term, Rowell has to prepare a side for matches against Italy, Argentina and France - other games currently hang in the balance - but his plans must also be geared to nurturing fresh talent for the 1999 World Cup.
A persuasive case can be made for leaving out players who are well into their thirties, such as Underwood and Dawe. Yet the omission of the 30-year-old Carling, a man of immense experience and no little skill, borders on crass insensitivity. It will be recalled that Carling was kept dangling for months over the matter of renewing his captaincy after last year's World Cup, now he may have to endure a cat-and-mouse game with Rowell over whether he keeps his England place.
According to Don Rutherford, the RFU technical director, "All the players not invited this time will be considered on their form and fitness during the autumn. Those eight players (left out) are so well known and we are aware of exactly how they play.
"We can afford to scrutinise others at this tine. We must stress that this is directly called an interim squad. It is going to be our only get-together until September because club tours and commitments make another practise session impossible during August."
Both Carling and Guscott (31) will face a stiff challenge for their places from the England A stars, Will Greenwood and Nick Greenstock, who have been named among the centres along with the familiar caps, Phil de Glanville and Damian Hopley.
In the backs, the only surprise inclusion is Dan Luger, a 21-year-old Harlquins wing who studies at Surrey University on a club scholarship. Luger has also played for Richmond, Orrell and England students.
Among the forwards, Peter Scrivener, the Wasps' back row, John Fowler, the Sale lock, and Neil McCarthy the Bath hooker, all make their first squad appearances at this level.
However, the omission of the talented Wasps' hooker Simon Mitchell will mystify those who saw him shine in a string of victories with Harlequins last season.
It remains to be seen whether this squad, which includes virtually the whole of the England A team that won a mini grand slam last year will have sufficient ability to produce the dynamic, interactive style favoured by Rowell in theory at least.
