LONDON (Reuters) - Former Tongan rugby league player Lesley Vainikolo was named in England's 32-man Six Nations training squad on Wednesday while another former league man, Andy Farrell was among the absentees.

Wing Vainikolo, a barnstorming performer in the 13-man code where he represented New Zealand, has made an impressive transformation to union at Gloucester in his first season. He could be a real crowd pleaser when England begin their campaign against Wales at Twickenham on February 2.

Described by coach Brian Ashton as "a player with the X-factor" he qualifies for England under residency rules and is the league's top try scorer this season, including five on debut.

His call-up, though, could spell the end for World Cup winner Josh Lewsey, who was another big-name absentee.

Lewsey, a key member of the side as fullback under Clive Woodward is less popular with Ashton, who sees the Wasps man as a winger.

Flyhalf Olly Barkley was also missing, because of a pending court case, while James Simpson-Daniel and Dan Hipkiss miss out.

Sale's Richard Wigglesworth is called up as scrumhalf alongside Andy Gomarsall and Peter Richards, while Iain Balshaw, Charlie Hodgson and Mike Tindall, who missed the World Cup through injury, are recalled.

Exciting Wasps flyhalf Danny Cipriani and Leicester forward Tom Croft were included, while Phil Vickery retains the captaincy.

ASHTON PRAISE

Four members of the squad who reached the 2007 World Cup final, have since retired from international rugby -- Jason Robinson, Lawrence Dallaglio and Martin Corry, all of whom were captains for long periods, and Mike Catt, who also led the team.

Tuesday's squad included 17 of the 22 who lost to South Africa in last year's World Cup final and 21 of the World Cup squad.

Vainikolo, however, is the name that caught the eye when Ashton revealed his squad at a Twickenham news conference.

"As we learned in the World Cup there is no substitute for experience in some areas of the team but in international rugby you can't stand still and in that regard I was able to look past the gate at the end of the garden and across the field," Ashton said.

"I first saw him about five years ago playing rugby league and there was a bit of a wow factor then.

"His transition to the union game has been a fairly straightforward one , he doesn't look like a league player playing union, he played as a youngster and it's not a new game to him.

"He's the top try scorer in the Premiership and he's also got an X-factor.

"At 6ft 2ins (1.88 metres) and almost 18 stone (114 kgs) he's powerful, explosive but he's a good footballer with good footwork and he's not been caught out defensively.

"He's a try scorer, a threat all over the field, pretty quick as well. But he's not only your traditional powerhouse winger, he's intelligent. I've seen him play centre and he's certainly a pretty good all-round package.

(Editing by John Mehaffey)