Corry urges Robinson to rethink strategy for tour of Australia

Martin Corry, the England captain, has called for the head coach, Andy Robinson, to change his approach to this summer's two-Test tour to Australia.

Before England's dismal Six Nations showing, it had been assumed that Robinson would be resting senior players such as Corry, Steve Thompson and Josh Lewsey. But Corry said yesterday: "I think the Australia tour is very different now because of what happened in the Six Nations Championship. England's failures in it are all the more important.

"With the state English rugby is in, we are running out of games to prove ourselves before the 2007 Rugby World Cup. We need our best players in every Test.

"We only have this tour, the autumn internationals and next year's Six Nations to prepare for the World Cup in France," he added.

Leicester have made one change for this Saturday's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Bath at the Walkers Stadium, with George Chuter set to start at hooker having served his suspension for stamping. Bath will be without the England prop Matt Stevens, who has undergone arthroscopy on an injured shoulder.

Gloucester are to appeal against the three-week suspension of their prop Terry Sigley for stamping in last Saturday's Premiership match against Bristol.

Alex King, the Wasps captain, and the flanker Johnny O'Connor have signed extensions to their contracts, King for one year, O'Connor for two.

Ryan Strudwick, the London Irish captain, is to leave at the end of the season after eight years and more than 200 appearances.