SALE scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth has earned his first senior call-up to the England squad.

Wigglesworth is one of four Sharks stars, along with Mark Cueto, Andrew Sheridan and Charlie Hodgson, to have made it into Brian Ashton's 32-man  RBS 6 Nations squad.

A major suprise is the selection of former Bradford Bulls rugby league star Lesley Vainikolo.

Vainikolo, who qualifies for England on residency grounds, signed a three-year contract with Guinness Premiership leaders Gloucester last summer.

He is the Premiership’s top try scorer this season, and possesses explosive finishing skills.

But Vainikolo’s selection will court controversy, especially as players such as Josh Lewsey and James Simpson-Daniel have been omitted.

Vainikolo’s fellow rugby league recruit Andy Farrell misses out, and there is also no place for Leicester centre Dan Hipkiss.

The other uncapped players apart from Wigglesworth are Vainikolo, Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani,  and Leicester flanker Tom Croft.

England World Cup captain Phil Vickery is retained as skipper.

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).

What is your verdict on the squad? Have your say.

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