England coach Brian Ashton has named rugby league convert Lesley Vainikolo in a 32-man Six Nations training squad and retained Phil Vickery as captain.

The 28-year-old Gloucester wing, nicknamed Volcano, has played only nine matches since making the code switch from Bradford Bulls last summer.

But his speed and power have already marked him out as a Kingsholm favourite and he now has the chance to show his ability at the highest level.

Tongan-born Vainikolo, who has recorded 10.8 seconds for the 100m, represented New Zealand at rugby league but qualifies for England on grounds of residency.

Vainikolo is currently in New Zealand, having flown back home last week to deal with what Gloucester termed a "serious family problem."

Also included in the sqaud are outstanding fly-half prospect Danny Cipriani and his Wasps team-mate and number eight James Haskell, who was overlooked for the World Cup.

There are first call-ups for Leicester's pacey flanker Tom Croft and Sale scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth.

The arrival of one league legend signals the departure of another as Saracens centre Andy Farrell fails to make the squad after a disappointing World Cup.

Big-name absentees from the backs are Josh Lewsey, Olly Barkley, Dan Hipkiss and James Simpson-Daniel.

Barkley's omission is due to a committal hearing he faces next month on a charge of causing actual bodily harm, which he denies.

There is no room either for Leicester flyer Tom Varndell, who has been in great form in recent weeks.

Vickery (pictured) retains the captaincy, despite a strong argument for fit-again centre Mike Tindall.

The powerful Gloucester centre returns to the England scene after being hampered by injury since England's 2003 World Cup triumph.

In the backs, there are recalls for fly-half Charlie Hodgson, Ian Balshaw and David Strettle, all of whom missed the World Cup through injury.

Up front, Ashton has kept faith with hookers Mark Regan, George Chuter and Lee Mears, while prop Tim Payne has been handed another chance.

Payne's Wasps team-mate Joe Worsley is also included despite having played little rugby since the World Cup final due to a hamstring injury.

In all, 17 of the 22-man squad that lost to South Africa in the World Cup final have been retained by Ashton.

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

Squad:

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

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, capt), Joe Worsley (Wasps).

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport