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Eurosport rugby expert Neil Back believes England manager Martin Johnson will cope well with the selection parameters that he has to work within.

In an ideal world, Martin Johnson would have the opportunity to select whoever he wants for England's autumn series of internationals - that includes the players who are currently in the best form.

Under the present agreement with the Premiership clubs, Johnno has to go with the elite squad he selected back in July, along with the three replacements he announced earlier in the week.

Some people may consider this restrictive - after all, a lot can happen to a player's form in six months - but it is important to remember that there has to be partnership between the RFU and the Premiership clubs.

The clubs need to be able to plan for the loss of their leading players, and in return they have agreed to give England more time with the players to prepare for internationals.

Johnno is a pragmatic type and I do not think he will let this bother him in the slightest. He will get on with doing the best job he can under the parameters he has to work within.

It looks like there has been some flexibility with the clubs - Bath have allowed Johnno to call up full-back Nick Abendanon, even though he is not a like-for-like replacement for Tom Varndell, as stipulated in the agreement.

The clubs know that a successful England team is good for them too, as it brings more sponsorship and media interest to the sport.

I think Johnno has made the right decision with the three additional players he has called up. Abendanon has been playing exceptionally well at full-back for Bath and deserves another chance at international level.

Varndell has struggled at Leicester in the past month or so and has had little game time, so I can understand why he has been left out.

It is unfortunate Jonny Wilkinson is injured, but good news that Danny Cipriani has managed to get himself fit well ahead of schedule to replace him.

As for Michael Lipman coming in for Lewis Moody, I also think that is the right choice. Lewis will soon be back in the shake up at Leicester, but Lipman has been going well with Bath and has earned his call-up.

There are other players in the Premiership who have been putting their hands up for senior recognition - London Irish's outstanding young prop Alex Corbisiero, for one.

But Johnno will be able to make changes to his elite squad in January for the Six Nations, and they will have to wait until then for their chance.

Eurosport