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Lancaster had to cut eight players from England’s training group, including two he has known since their childhood in Leeds, centre Luther Burrell and back-row Calum Clark.

England, who won the World Cup under Woodward in 2003, play Ireland in their final warm-up game at Twickenham on September 5.

A first-choice England pack endured a torrid evening at the hands of Les Bleus just seven days after being out-muscled, but not out-scored, in the 19-14 victory over the same foes at Twickenham.

“That particular decision around the centre combination will go down to the wire”. “I thought he played well”.

When Luther Burrell resumes his midfield partnership with Jonathan Joseph for England at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, it will be the 12th midfield combination that Stuart Lancaster has used in his 3½ years in charge and is likely to be the most critical of the...