British & Irish Lion Steve Thompson and World Cup winner Ben Cohen will miss England’s two-Test tour of Australia this summer.
Northampton wing Cohen and Saints hooker Thompson have both opted to rest in preparation for next season.
The pair, who boast exactly 100 caps between them, are set to join a prominent list of absentees Down Under when England face Australia in Sydney on June 10 and Melbourne a week later.
Fellow Lions Josh Lewsey and lock Simon Shaw could also miss the trip, with Lions number eight and England captain Martin Corry another possible non-starter as head coach Andy Robinson identifies those players requiring essential rest and recuperation.
