But the absence of Simmons, who withdrew from selection contention to "to concentrate fully on his NBA activities", has raised the spectre of club versus country sagas that are commonplace in other sports.
But Joe Wardle was forced to withdraw from selection because the Huddersfield Giants centre has to undergo shoulder surgery.
Geraint Thomas withdrew from selection as he returns to form and fitness, although he will compete in the team time trial with Doull for Team Sky.
The 30-year-old withdrew from selection for Fabio Capello's squad in January, having not featured at the World Cup two years ago.
Foster also pointed out his decision to withdraw from selection was not a reaction to the prospect of becoming Hart's permanent long-term deputy - with no prospect of being promoted to the lead role.
Remember that the candidate Unite supported has withdrawn from the selection race, and none of the members recruited – quite legitimately under the rules as they were – will have a vote when it comes to choosing Labour's candidate.
On Monday it emerged UKIP Vale of Glamorgan councillor Kevin Mahoney had withdrawn from the selection process to be the party's European candidate in Wales in protest at Mr Richards joining UKIP.
Ron Davis, the general manager of Burbank Water and Power, has withdrawn from the selection process to take the helm of Austin Energy, the nation's ninth-largest public electric utility.
The Wigan midfielder James McCarthy asked to be withdrawn from consideration for selection.
"The first week of January, as we are approaching the selection meeting, I got a phone call in the office saying, 'if you don't withdraw from the selection meeting on Saturday your body parts will be spread across the M62 motorway'.
Before Mr Smith was chosen last week, the former Conservative MP Neil Hamilton withdrew from the selection process for the seat after a letter querying his expenses claims was leaked to the media.
