Wednesday, August 2 2006 16:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Jonny Wilkinson, who has not played for England since clinching the 2003 World Cup with a last-minute drop goal, has been named in his country's 55-strong elite squad for the coming season after recovering from injury.

Former Great Britain rugby league captain Andy Farrell is also included, despite having not played a competitive game of union since his cross-code switch from Wigan to Saracens.

He missed the whole of last season with toe and back injuries, and it is not yet even certain what his best union position will be.

England head coach Andy Robinson said he saw both men as key figures for their country ahead of next year's World Cup defence as he introduced the Elite Player Squad (EPS) for the 2006/7 season, which includes 40 England senior players and 15 from the national academy.

"I would like to welcome back Jonny Wilkinson. Everyone hopes that he has put his injuries behind him and is able to play regularly for Newcastle Falcons," Robinson said.

"I am also looking forward to working with Andy Farrell who was in last season's EPS squad but suffered a succession of injuries," he said.

"I am very excited about this new Elite Player Squad which faces a challenging year ahead leading into the 2007 Rugby World Cup," he said.

"These players will form the nucleus of selection for the Investec Challenge series in the autumn and the RBS Six Nations and they should be congratulated on being included," he said.

However, Robinson added, exclusion from the squad does not mean that the selection door to England is closed.

Bath prop Matt Stevens was not considered for the squad after undergoing further shoulder surgery on Monday, following on from another procedure in April.

Also excluded was Wasps winger Tom Voyce, who suffered a poor tour of Australia, while there were no places for Leicester prop Graham Rowntree or Gloucester lock Alex Brown.