Meehan criticises Lipman omission

Michael Lipman has won 10 caps for England

Bath head coach Steve Meehan has questioned the decision to axe flanker Michael Lipman from England's elite player squad ahead of the Six Nations.

Lipman, 28, has been left out of Martin Johnson's squad after featuring in three of the autumn internationals.

Meehan said: "Obviously the back-row is a competitive area, but I don't know what exactly it is he has done wrong.

"You absolutely know he'll give 100%, and I'm not saying the others don't, but you know what you get with him."

Bath captain Lipman has been replaced by Leicester flanker Lewis Moody, who joins fellow Tiger Tom Croft, Wasps duo Tom Rees and James Haskell and Gloucester's Luke Narraway in the squad.

"I wouldn't trade him for any of those players," added Meehan, who was also surprised to see Nick Abendanon culled from the Saxons squad.

"It's disappointing for them, there's no doubt about that. It must be very frustrating being in one week and then out the next."

Lipman may yet be called up to to England squad as Rees is expected to miss the majority of the Six Nations with a knee injury.