Several NEC Harlequins players are likely to feature in the England squad, it emerged today.

Head coach Brian Ashton has confirmed that no players involved in the European Challenge Cup on May 19 and Heineken Cup final the following day will be involved in either of England's two tests for their summer tour to South Africa.

That means Wasps, Bath and Leicester Tigers players are ruled out of the tour.

Nick Easter and David Strettle were already expected to be in the squad but this may open to door for the likes of Stuart Abbott, Mike Brown and Adrian Jarvis.

England play the Springboks on May 26 in Bloemfontein and on June 2 in Pretoria.

Ashton said: "I've reached the decision based on three principles.

"Firstly, the players will not have time to prepare and acclimatise for the first test match.

"Secondly, after their massive efforts spent in reaching the Heineken and European Challenge Cup finals it gives this group of players the opportunity to recharge their batteries before meeting up again for the.

"Finally, I also feel very strongly that the players I will select for the touring squad must be trusted and respected to fulfil the two fixtures against South Africa."

The 32-man England squad to tour South Africa will be announced on Tuesday, May 1.

England's Rugby World Cup preparations start on June 25th with a two week training camp at Browns Sports & Leisure Club in Vilamoura on the Algarve, Portugal, before returning to the sports complex at Bath University in the second week of July.