The shape of things to come was made far clearer by Martin Johnson yesterday. The England team manager trimmed his 32-strong squad by eight, bringing much closer the probability that the uncapped trio of Dylan Hartley, Riki Flutey and Ugo Monye will be involved in the first match of the Investec Challenge series, against the Pacific Islanders at Twickenham on November 8.

The most contentious decision was the release back to London Wasps of Josh Lewsey and the retention of Nick Abendanon. Lewsey and Mathew Tait, still under supervision by England’s medical team, were the nominated full backs when the elite player squad was announced in July; the departure of Lewsey denies Johnson one of the most experienced players at his disposal and, given that Tait’s hamstring is still grumbling, appears to leave Abendanon as the only fit No 15.

Lewsey, who has not played for England since the World Cup semi-final against France last October, has 55 caps and 22 tries to his credit. Johnson has made considerable play of the need to have experience dotted around his side, so the message to Lewsey is clear: he must rediscover consistency on the club front.

Three midfield backs wend their way home, Shane Geraghty, Dan Hipkiss and Olly Barkley, together with Lewsey and the multifaceted Peter Richards. Three forwards, George Chuter, Jordan Crane and Tim Payne, also depart, which leaves the fiery and occasionally ill-disciplined Hartley with Lee Mears to serve as hookers and suggests that Luke Narraway’s hamstring is mending well. Gloucester are confident that Narraway, the No 8, will be fit by November 8, although Nick Easter, whose form for Harlequins has grown in conviction throughout this season, remains on standby.

Since Monye and Paul Sackey are the only specialist wings remaining, Monye’s prospects of an international cap have suddenly soared. This time last week he was not even a member of the elite squad, but the 25-year-old Harlequin was called up to replace the out-of-sorts Tom Varndell and is poised for his debut.

Coincidentally, two England players of considerable experience will make their first appearances of the season this weekend. Lewis Moody will start for Leicester in their EDF Energy Cup pool game against Sale Sharks on Friday and Danny Grewcock, who tore a bicep in pre-season, will be in Bath’s squad to play Cardiff Blues the same night.

Moody ruptured an Achilles tendon against Wales in February, then required a hip operation; the flanker withdrew from the elite squad, to be replaced by Michael Lipman, but his progress will be closely monitored.

It is possible that Lesley Vainikolo’s international days are behind him, though. The Gloucester wing won five caps last season, but has done nothing in the past two months to suggest a recall and is the subject of a police investigation in the wake of being arrested on Sunday morning after an altercation outside a Bath nightclub. He was held on suspicion of grievous bodily harm before being released on bail.

Revised England squad: Backs: N Abendanon (Bath), M Tait (Sale Sharks), U Monye (Harlequins), P Sackey (London Wasps), J Noon (Newcastle Falcons), R Flutey (London Wasps), D Cipriani (London Wasps), T Flood (Leicester), D Care (Harlequins), H Ellis (Leicester). Forwards: A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), M Stevens (Bath), P Vickery (London Wasps), D Hartley (Northampton), L Mears (Bath), S Borthwick (Saracens), N Kennedy (London Irish), T Palmer (London Wasps), S Shaw (London Wasps), T Croft (Leicester), J Haskell (London Wasps), M Lipman (Bath), L Narraway (Gloucester), T Rees (London Wasps). Retained as cover: D Armitage (London Irish), N Easter (Harlequins).