England World Cup squad: Chris Ashton one of seven omitted, Danny Cipriani retained

Chris Ashton is one of seven players dropped from England's training squad as head coach Stuart Lancaster closes in on the final 31 who will carry the nation's hopes at the home World Cup.

Ashton is the highest-profile casualty, while fellow wings Semesa Rokoduguni and Marland Yarde, centre Kyle Eastmond, scrum-half Lee Dickson, flanker Matt Kvesic and prop Matt Mullan have also been dropped.

The departures reduce the number of players who will be returning to the squad's training camp at Pennyhill Park to 39, with August 31 the deadline for Lancaster to name his final 31-man party for England 2015.

"It has been difficult to narrow down the squad as everyone has contributed and given their all," Lancaster said.

"But what I've said to those guys who are not coming back in on Sunday is that the door is not closed by any means.

"They are only an injury away and there is a lot of international rugby to be played this season, culminating in a three-Test tour to Australia."

Both Sam Burgess and Danny Cipriani remain in the fold ahead of Lancaster's final decision at the end of the month.