FIVE Sale Sharks have been named in England's training squad for the Six Nationas championships.

Despite injury, Charlie Hodgson has been named alongside team-mates Jason Robinson, Alex Sanderson, Andy Titterrell and Chris Jones.

Titterrell however will not feature in any early games after being suspended for six weeks following an incident in the game against Leinster at Landsdowne Road.

Clive Woodward has named Lawrence Dallaglio as skipper.

Woodward said: ""I was in the fortunate position of having a lot of outstanding players to consider for the captaincy role, to follow in the footsteps of Martin Johnson who was always going to be such a hard act for any player to follow, both on the pitch and in his leadership qualities.

"Many players have proven to me they could do the job but in my opinion Lawrence is the stand out choice for Italy. I'm really pleased for him and I am confident he will be excellent in the role. As always I will be appointing the captain on a game by game basis, a philosophy I've maintained since I've been in charge."

Dallaglio captained England for 14 international tests before handing over the reigns to Martin Johnson in 1999. The London Wasps captain is thrilled at being offered the role again.

"I'm very pleased to accept this responsibility. It's a huge honour and privilege and Martin has certainly set a high standard. He is a world class player and is a great loss to England but I respect his decision to retire.

"All teams move on and evolve and England is no exception. The priority is to get selected on form, that's paramount. I see playing well as the key to success and captaining your country is very special indeed.

"I want to continue to work closely with Clive and the coaches and take England to the next level. But we are under no illusions. As world champions it will be a huge challenge to achieve that goal but it's one I know we all share."

29 of England's 31 world champions from the 2003 Rugby World Cup have been named by the England head coach in this wider training squad for the RBS Six Nations and there are 14 players called up that did not go to Australia. Apart from the retiring captain Martin Johnson, Dan Luger is not named by Woodward which, he explained, was by mutual consent.

Seriously considered

"I have spoken to Dan and we both feel it's best for the time being that he stays in France and settles down with his new club Perpignan but he is in no way out of the picture with England and will be seriously considered for the future. I'm also monitoring Austin Healey's form closely. Like Dan, I feel Austin will benefit from a solid period with his club Leicester Tigers at the moment and didn't feel I could leave out any of the current squad.

"Graham Rowntree has been playing so well for Leicester Tigers and it was a really tough decision to leave him out of the World Cup squad so I am very much looking forward to having him back with us."

For some, such as Chris Jones of Sale Sharks, a member of the Senior National Academy, this selection represents an important step up in his rugby career. Another Senior National Academy member, Matt Stevens of Bath, impressed the England coaches by his performance in December's non capped game against the New Zealand Barbarians and Henry Paul of Gloucester is welcomed back by Woodward after a year's absence.

"These players are all there because of their excellent form for their clubs. Stevens is an exciting talent for the future and I'd like to offer a big welcome back to Henry Paul who is in outstanding form and is selected on merit."

There are 43 players in the wider England squad but some will be unavailable early on in England's defence of the Grand Slam due to injuries. 5 players will be unavailable to start against Italy and a further 2 players are doubtful as England team doctor Simon Kemp explains.

"The injured players are making good progress. At this stage we are liasing with their medical specialists and club medical teams to ensure their optimal recovery.

Stuart Abbott (left ankle), Mike Tindall (left ankle), Charlie Hodgson (left knee), Lewis Moody (stress fracture left foot) and Julian White (left knee operation) will not be able to be considered for our opening match in Italy. Two others, Jonny Wilkinson (neck) and Mike Catt (hamstring and calf) are both close to match fitness and will be reassessed next week. Andy Titterrell is currently suspended so he will miss the opening matches."

With two England A games approaching (against France on March 6 and Italy on March 19) other players will join the England squad at their training base in Bagshot shortly.

ENGLAND TRAINING SQUAD FOR RBS SIX NATIONS 2004

Stuart Abbott, London Wasps

Neil Back, Leicester Tigers

Iain Balshaw, Bath

Ollie Barkley, Bath

Steve Borthwick, Bath

Kyran Bracken, Saracens

Mike Catt, Bath

Ben Cohen, Northampton Saints

Martin Corry, Leicester Tigers

Lawrence Dallaglio, London Wasps (Captain)

Matt Dawson, Northampton Saints

Andy Gomarsall, Gloucester

Paul Grayson, Northampton Saints

Will Greenwood, NEC Harlequins

Danny Grewcock, Bath

Richard Hill, Saracens

Charlie Hodgson, Sale Sharks

Chris Jones, Sale Sharks

Ben Kay, Leicester Tigers

Alex King, London Wasps

Jason Leonard, NEC Harlequins

Josh Lewsey, London Wasps

Lewis Moody, Leicester Tigers

Jamie Noon, Newcastle Falcons

Tom Palmer, Leeds Tykes

Henry Paul, Gloucester

Mark Regan, Leeds Tykes

Jason Robinson, Sale Sharks

Graham Rowntree, Leicester Tigers

Alex Sanderson, Sale Sharks

Simon Shaw, London Wasps

James Simpson-Daniel, Gloucester

Ollie Smith, Leicester Tigers

Matt Stevens, Bath

Steve Thompson, Northampton Saints

Mike Tindall, Bath

Andy Titterrell, Sale Sharks

Phil Vickery, Gloucester (Vice Captain)

Dorian West, Leicester Tigers

Julian White, Leicester Tigers
Jonny Wilkinson, Newcastle Falcons (Vice Captain)

Trevor Woodman, Gloucester

Joe Worsley, London Wasps

Tweet