Leicester flanker Lewis Moody is expected to take the captaincy for the tour Down Under where nine players could make their debuts.

In the pack, locks David Attwood, Dan Ward-Smith and Geoff Parling have been called up as have Newcastle loosehead Jon Golding, Wasps hooker Rob Webber and Leeds flanker Hendre Fourie.

Behind the scrum Shontayne Hape, who was called up for the 2010 RBS 6 Nations squads, and Wasps pair Joe Simpson and Dominic Waldouck are also in line to make their senior bows for the first time.

Other notable recalls include Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson and Bath duo David Flatman and Olly Barkley – one of the Premiership’s most in-form players.

But there were just as many talking points over the players excluded and while Borthwick and prop Phil Vickery’s absence can be put down to fitness the likes of London Irish scrum-half Paul Hodgson, Gloucester flier James Simpson Daniel and Northampton back-rower Phil Dowson will all feel their World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread.

Dowson in particular will feel hard done by after an outstanding first season at Franklin’s Gardens in which he has been included in Rugby Players Association’s player of the year shortlist.

He will have to make do with a place in the England Saxons squad as they prepare for the Churchill Cup alongside teammates Stephen Myler and Jon Clarke.