Vainikolo: Rugby league convert

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England coach Brian Ashton has sprung a surprise by naming Lesley Vainikolo in his squad for the RBS Six Nations tournament.

The Tongan-born winger, who represented New Zealand during his rugby league career, has made just nine appearances since switching codes.

However, 'The Volcano' made an immediate impact by scoring five tries on his Gloucester debut against Leeds at Headingley.

Currently the leading try-scorer in the Guinness Premiership, Vainikolo qualifies to play for England on residency grounds.

Surprising omissions

The news was not so good for another big-name rugby league convert, as Andy Farrell was left out of the 32-man training party.

Surprisingly, there is also no Josh Lewsey on the list - despite the fact he would have played in the World Cup final against South Africa had it not been for injury.

Leicester's Dan Hipkiss and Olly Barkley of Bath, both of whom featured in the tournament in France last year, are other notable omissions.

Scrum-half Shaun Perry was not considered for selection due to injury, while Perry Freshwater is the other World Cup squad member not to have made it.

Jason Robinson, Mike Catt, Martin Corry and Lawrence Dallaglio have all retired from international rugby since the 15-6 defeat to the Springboks in Paris.

Youth movement

As expected, Ashton has turned to youth as he begins building for the future, calling up Wasps' rising stars Danny Cipriani and James Haskell.

There are also places for Leicester flanker Tom Croft and Sale scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth.

Other rising stars of the domestic game - such as Nick Abendanon, Nick Kennedy, Luke Narraway and Ryan Lamb - have had to make do with a place in the England Saxons squad.

Ashton has not completely turned his back on experience, as proved by his recall of the fit-again Gloucester centre Mike Tindall.

Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson also returns to the international fold after being sidelined for much of last season.

Phil Vickery will continue as captain for the tournament. England begin their campaign against Wales at Twickenham on 2 February.

England 32-man squad for RBS 6 Nations Championship:
Backs: I Balshaw (Gloucester), D Cipriani (Wasps), M Cueto (Sale Sharks), T Flood (Newcastle), A Gomarsall (Harlequins), C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), J Noon (Newcastle), P Richards (London Irish), P Sackey (Wasps), D Strettle (Harlequins), M Tait (Newcastle), M Tindall (Gloucester), R Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks), J Wilkinson (Newcastle), L Vainikolo (Gloucester)
Forwards: S Borthwick (Bath), T Croft (Leicester), G Chuter (Leicester), L Deacon (Leicester), N Easter (Harlequins), J Haskell (Wasps), B Kay (Leicester), L Mears (Bath), L Moody (Leicester), T Payne (Wasps), T Rees (Wasps), M Regan (Bristol), S Shaw (Wasps), A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), M Stevens (Bath), P Vickery, (Wasps, capt), J Worsley (Wasps)