Racing Toulon block release of Wilkinson

JONNY Wilkinson will not be released for a training session of England's elite squad next week, his French club Racing Toulon said last night.

The England fly-half "will respect his contract and will be available for the first game of the Top 14 against Bayonne on 13 August," Toulon said in a statement.

The England training session is due to take place between 8 and 14 August.

Backrow forward James Haskell and lock Tom Palmer, who play club rugby with Stade Francais, have also been called up by England manager Martin Johnson.

Haskell was involved in a row between his club and national team back in March when the RFU refused to release him to play for his club during a break in the Six Nations championship.