Geraghty's time will come - but not in France

The first cut is the deepest. When Brian Ashton, the England coach, applied the secateurs to his Red Rose squad for the World Cup, he would have been at pains to point out to Shane Geraghty that his time will come, although it will not be in France this autumn.

Geraghty, the London Irish stand-off, lit up Twickenham when he came on as a replacement for England against France in the Six Nations in March. Mike Catt, who plays alongside him, says he is "miles ahead of other 20-year-olds". The only problem is that England have three other No 10s in Jonny Wilkinson, Charlie Hodgson and Toby Flood.

Geraghty, born in Coventry of Irish parents, might have made Ireland's World Cup squad but opted for the country of his birth. It would not have been simply age and inexperience that counted against him; Danny Cipriani, a contender at full-back, is even younger.

Ashton pruned five others from his initial squad: the flankers Magnus Lund and Andy Hazell, lock Louis Deacon, the centre Fraser Waters and fullback Olly Morgan. Sale will fume over Lund's omission, not least because he played a blinder in the Second Test against South Africa six weeks ago.

"It's been a very difficult decision," Ashton said. "They have all worked hard in training and it's been good working with them. I'm considering a further cut of players at the end of next week's training but I'm not going to comment on who or how many as I haven't made those decisions yet."

Ashton, who has to name his World Cup 30 by 14 August, had already lost the tighthead prop Julian White. "I have a young family and a farm to manage, and I cannot commit to the length of time the squad will be away from home," White said. Ashton said: "It's a blow. I tried to talk him out of it but his mind is made up."

The Wales No 8 Ryan Jones has suffered a shoulder injury in training. The Ospreys player will have a scan tomorrow.

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