Premier Rugby's leading officials see little prospect of form - or lack of it - influencing the movement of players between England's elite squad and those in the Saxons, the second-tier squad. The England management is allowed to replace injured or suspended players and so could be considered fortunate that Danny Cipriani's return to action from serious injury came 24 hours after Jonny Wilkinson dislocated his knee. This principle, however, is unlikely to be extended to include players that are out of form.

Mark McCafferty, the chief executive of Premier Rugby Ltd, said yesterday that the RFU had sought a core group of 32 elite players with whom their coaches could work. A review of the situation will be made by both parties a fortnight before the first of the autumn internationals, against the Pacific Islands on November 8, but otherwise the squads will not be revised until January.

“Form cuts across the initial premise of the [eight-year] deal,” McCafferty said. He is aware that Olly Morgan (who is not even in the Saxons squad) and Nick Abendanon (who is) are playing better at full back, for example, than Josh Lewsey or Mathew Tait, the two No15s in the elite squad. “We have to let the system operate. It has only been in place since July 1, it hasn't yet had a chance.”

Northampton will appeal against the 18-week suspension imposed on Neil Best, their flanker, for gouging. The appeal will be heard on Monday. Best pleaded guilty to reckless play during his team's Guinness Premiership match against London Wasps last month but denied deliberately making contact with James Haskell's eye.

The semi-finals of the Anglo-Welsh Cup will be held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on March 28 after three years at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, which will be used for a Wales football international on that date. The EDF Energy-sponsored tournament, in its final year under the present format, opens this evening when Newport-Gwent Dragons host Newcastle Falcons at Rodney Parade.