Twickenham is ready to witness its first volcanic eruption - and Wales could be the hapless victims.
England boss Brian Ashton has raised the distinct possibility of Lesley "Volcano" Vainikolo - arguably northern hemisphere rugby's Jonah Lomu tribute act - being unleashed on Wales next month.
Having drafted the 28-year-old New Zealand rugby league international into his RBS 6 Nations squad, head coach Ashton could now go the whole hog and hand him a starting place just nine games - and nine tries - into his Gloucester career.
Vainikolo, who claimed 149 touchdowns in 152 games for Bradford Bulls, joined Guinness Premiership leaders Gloucester on a lucrative contract last summer.
Grievous family problems in New Zealand twice forced him home either side of Christmas. He is currently 12,000 miles away, and will miss Gloucester's crucial Heineken Cup clash against the Ospreys on Saturday.
But the 6ft 2in wing, who weighs in at something approaching 18 stone, has received a huge fillip with his selection in a 32-man group which includes fellow uncapped players Danny Cipriani, Richard Wigglesworth and Tom Croft.
Ashton's first squad announcement since the 2007 World Cup final contained plenty of talking points, including the high-profile omissions of Josh Lewsey, Andy Farrell and Dan Hipkiss, but Vainikolo commanded top billing.
The Tonga-born juggernaut has New Zealand parents, yet he qualifies for England on residency grounds.
Ashton said: "I am as big a rugby league fan as I am a rugby union fan. I have seen him play for the last few seasons with the Bradford Bulls.
"When he switched to union it was interesting to see whether he would take time to adjust to the game.
"It has not quite been a seamless transition, but it has not been far off because he has played the game before. He has been a seriously good addition to the Gloucester team.
"If you are playing in the wider channels, it is probably easier to convert than if you are closer to the action all the time, but the fact of the matter is he has played rugby union before. It is not a new game to him."
Ashton admits Vainikolo, whose England wing rivals include Paul Sackey, Mark Cueto and David Strettle, possesses what he termed "a wow factor".
And England are not expecting any red-tape issues to strangle prospects of an early Vainikolo Test debut.
"We are waiting for one piece of final confirmation, from the Tongan Rugby Union, that he hasn't played any representative rugby at any level for them," said the Rugby Football Union's elite rugby director Rob Andrew.
"Lesley has signed a declaration saying he hasn't.
"He has done his 36 months (residency) comfortably, and he has been here six years. From an eligibility point of view we are very happy.
"He has applied for a British passport, and he will get it at some time in March or April, but that is irrelevant from an International Rugby Board eligibility point of view."
Vainikolo played union in Auckland before switching to the 13-a-side code, and Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan believes Vainikolo's selection could help him through the difficult times he is currently experiencing off the field.
Vainikolo's brother died last month, and further problems forced him to return home just 24 hours before Gloucester's top-of-the-table Premiership clash against Bath five days ago.
Ryan said: "I think his inclusion is great for him because he has been through a tough month or so, and it should give him a lift.
"Obviously they (England) believe Lesley has got an international future, and the best way to see that is to include him.
"Let's see how their needs support him over the coming weeks and months, and let's hope it enhances what he is already doing here.
"I cannot speak highly enough of his attitude and application since his move here. He has been fantastic for us and we are all delighted."
Vainikolo's Gloucester colleague, centre Mike Tindall and Sale Sharks fly-half Charlie Hodgson - who both missed the World Cup campaign - are back in favour.
There is disappointment, though, for several of England's promising young guns.
The likes of Nick Abendanon, Jordan Crane, Nick Kennedy, Luke Narraway, Tom Varndell and Ryan Lamb are in the Saxons - formerly England A - squad for games against Ireland A and Italy A next month.
Six members of England's 2007 World Cup squad have not made it, in addition to the retired quartet of Jason Robinson, Mike Catt, Martin Corry and Lawrence Dallaglio.
They are Lewsey, Farrell, Hipkiss, Olly Barkley, Shaun Perry and Perry Freshwater. Perry and four other players - Olly Morgan, Ben Foden, Harry Ellis and Dan Ward-Smith - were not considered because of injuries.
Elsewhere, England World Cup captain Phil Vickery is retained as skipper, who is among 20 of the original 30-man World Cup squad retained. At 36, Bristol hooker Mark Regan is the oldest player involved.
As for Wales' Twickenham visit on February 2 - they have not won at English rugby headquarters for 20 years - Ashton said: "I expect them to come firing on all fronts.
"They will come with a lot of passion, and they will remember the last time they were here, for the World Cup warm-up (England won 62-5).
"The Six Nations is always a difficult tournament because it is very unpredictable, and I imagine this season will be no different."
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).
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