England release Goode back to Saracens

Saracens full-back Alex Goode is one of 10 England that have been allowed to return to their clubs by tomorrow evening to be available for Premiership games this weekend.

The half-back played for Saracens in Friday’s 17-16 Heineken Cup defeat to Toulouse at Wembley - the Hendon side’s first loss of the season.

Twenty-four hours later he travelled with Owen Farrell, Chris Ashton, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola and Joel Tomkins for a squad meet-up ahead of the QBE internationals in November.

The other players that will rejoin their clubs under the terms of the Elite Performance Squad agreement are: Danny Care (Harlequins), Christian Wade (Wasps), Dave Attwood (Bath), Freddie Burns, (Gloucester) Luther Burrell (Harlequins), Kyle Eastmond (Bath), Ben Foden (Northampton), Tom Johnson (Exeter) and Matt Kvesic (Gloucester).

England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “It has been good to get into camp and spend some time with the players. I have met all of them individually and today they had forwards’ and backs’ meetings and a positive training session at West Park Leeds.

“Under the terms of the Elite Player Squad agreement we are releasing 10 players back, some of whom will play in the Aviva Premiership this weekend. There are still places to play for and we won’t finalise the side to play Australia until much closer to the game, not least because of the matches this coming weekend, so it’s a chance for those going back to stake a final claim for inclusion in the 23.”