White out of World Cup

England’s World Cup preparations have suffered a setback after Leicester prop Julian White ruled himself out of the tournament.

Although the experienced tighthead has agreed to go on standby for the two-month competition, he will not be part of England’s official 30-man squad.

England head coach Brian Ashton is due to name his World Cup party on August 14, but White has now followed Northampton wing Ben Cohen in making himself unavailable.

Ashton, whose World Cup training squad is currently based at the University of Bath, said White had indicated he did not want to leave his young family behind for a lengthy period.

White, who is from a farming background, has also bought a considerable amount of land and has commitments in that area.

White would have been an automatic choice for the World Cup squad but if Ashton decides to take four props to France then those places will now probably be filled by skipper Phil Vickery, Matt Stevens, Andrew Sheridan and 34-year-old Saracens forward Kevin Yates.