Vainikolo gets shock England call

From correspondents in London
January 09, 2008

ENGLAND coach Brian Ashton sprang a major surprise by including former rugby league star Lesley Vainikolo in his 32-man squad for the Six Nations Championship.

Tongan-born Vainikolo, whose parents are from New Zealand, qualifies for England on residency grounds following several years with the Bradford Bulls rugby league club.

But he only switched to rugby union this season, joining Gloucester, although the wing is the top try-scorer so far in the English Premiership this season with nine tries.

England, who reached the World Cup final before losing 15-6 to South Africa in Paris in October, have omitted six players from their squad in France.

Former Great Britain rugby league international Andy Farrell and fellow centre Dan Hipkiss, 2003 World Cup winner Josh Lewsey, prop Perry Freshwater, and utility back Olly Barkley.

Scrum half Shaun Perry was not considered because of injury.

Former England captains Martin Corry, Lawrence Dallaglio (both back rows), wing/full-back Jason Robinson and centre come fly half Mike Catt have all announced their international retirements since the World Cup.

Apart from Vainikolo, the other uncapped players are Wasps fly half Danny Cipriani, Sale scrum half Richard Wigglesworth and Leicester flanker Tom Croft.

England World Cup captain Phil Vickery remains the skipper of the squad.

England begin their Six Nations campaign against Wales at Twickenham on February 2.

Agence France-Presse

Squad

Forwards: Steve Borthwick (Bath), Tom Croft (Leicester), George Chuter (Leicester), Louis Deacon (Leicester), Nick Easter (Harlequins), James Haskell (Wasps), Ben Kay (Leicester), Lee Mears (Bath), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Tim Payne (Wasps), Tom Rees (Wasps), Mark Regan (Bristol), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Matt Stevens (Bath), Phil Vickery (Wasps, (C)), Joe Worsley (Wasps)

Backs: Iain Balshaw (Gloucester), Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks), Toby Flood (Newcastle), Andy Gomarsall (Harlequins), Charlie Hodgson (Sale), Jamie Noon (Newcastle), Peter Richards (London Irish), Paul Sackey (Wasps), David Strettle (Harlequins), Mathew Tait (Newcastle), Mike Tindall (Gloucester), Richard Wigglesworth (Sale), Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle), Lesley Vainikolo (Gloucester).