LONDON (AFP) - Some familar faces will be missing when England coach Brian Ashton announces his 32-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations Championship here Wednesday after Martin Corry became the latest senior player to announce his international retirement.

Corry, 34, joined fellow former England captains Jason Robinson, Mike Catt and Lawrence Dallaglio in calling time on his Test career after a World Cup where the 2003 champions, following a record 36-0 Pool defeat by South Africa, reached October's final in Paris before losing to the Springboks.

With international rugby union now revolving around a four-year World Cup cycle, Ashton's Six Nations squad is likely to feature players who could form the backbone of the side come the 2011 tournament in New Zealand.

James Haskell, for example, has been widely tipped as the natural successor to back-row forward Dallaglio while, behind the scrum, England have several promising players.

Arguably the most talented is 20-year-old Wasps outside-half Danny Cipriani. Although, having only been his club's first-choice performer in the key role for just two months, he is not yet expected to replace Jonny Wilkinson, a far better defensive player, in the starting line-up, Cipriani's attacking flair could see him introduced off the bench during this season's Six Nations.

Not every England player over the age of 30 is ready to voluntarily end their Test career with centre Andy Farrell, who on Tuesday signed a new two-year contract with club side Saracens, saying he was ready for more national service.

The 32-year-old former Great Britain rugby league convert has seen his time in the 15-man code interrupted by injuries and didn't hit the heights at the World Cup.

But Farrell believes he's still to reach his peak as a union player although he is well aware that, just because he is available, there is no guarantee he will be selected by Ashton.

"I'm big enough to take not getting picked," said Farrell. "At some stage in everyone's career someone is going to come and take over."

He added: "I feel my best rugby union is still ahead of me. I'm still learning and getting better with every game I play."

Earlier Tuesday, Corry was clear about his reasons for ending his 64-cap England career. "If there is ever a right moment to step aside from representing England this is it," he wrote in the Guardian newspaper.

"I've had my time and none of us can keep going forever. It's just a shame I am getting old," he said.

"If I could carry on for the next 10 years I would because I genuinely love playing for Leicester and England.

"Brian rang me to say they were going to name me in the 32 and asked if that was what I wanted.

"Unfortunately, I just can't keep doing it all. Something has to give if I want to keep playing to the required standard," explained Corry, who added he wished to spend more time with his young family.

Ashton, paying tribute to Corry, said: "He has been an outstanding member of the England rugby team both on and off the field over a long period of time and his contribution will be sorely missed," he said..

"Martin has captained England on a number of occasions, often in difficult circumstances, and he has always led the side from the front in his own inimitable fashion."

England begin their Six Nations campaign against Wales at Twickenham on February 2.