Martin Johnson allows England players to return to club duty

England manager Martin Johnson has confirmed that 18 members of his RBS 6 Nations squad will be available for club duty this weekend.

Jonny Wilkinson returned to Toulon earlier this week while London Irish prop Alex Corbisiero is the only member of the starting XV that beat Italy to be released for Aviva Premiership action.

Corbisiero came into the team for Andrew Sheridan, who was ruled out with a back injury but has been made available to play for Sale at Harlequins.

Bath centre Matt Banahan, Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care and Northampton loose-forward Phil Dowson will all leave the England camp today.

Steve Thompson, David Wilson, Hendre Fourie and Joe Worsley have been sent back to their clubs after stints off the bench in England's successful Six Nations start.

Johnson has also released Leicester pair George Chuter and George Skivington, the Wasps trio Riki Flutey, Tim Payne and Joe Simpson plus Bath full-back Nick Abendanon, Gloucester prop Paul Doran-Jones and Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson.