Vainikolo in shock England call up

LONDON, England -- England coach Brian Ashton has sprung a major surprise by including Tonga-born former rugby league star Lesley Vainikolo in his squad for the Six Nations tournament.

Vainikolo, who qualifies for England on residency grounds, signed a three-year contract with his club side Gloucester last summer and has impressed as top try scorer in the Premiership this season.

The former Bradford Bulls star, who represented New Zealand at rugby league, has only played nine matches in the 15-man rugby union code and his 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, while other uncapped players called up to the 32-man squad are Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani, Sale scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth and Leicester flanker Tom Croft.

England World Cup captain Phil Vickery is retained as skipper.

Ashton is excited by his selection of Vainikolo: "There is a bit of the wow factor there with him. His transition to the union game has been fairly straightforward - he does not look like a rugby league player playing union," he said.

"He is the top try scorer in the Guinness Premiership this season, and he has got an X factor.

"He is an incredibly strong, explosive player. He has good footwork and is a threat all over the field.

"He's also an intelligent footballer - he is a pretty good all-round package."

England, beaten in the World Cup final by South Africa, open their Six Nations campaign against Wales at Twickenham on February 2.

Whether Vainikolo, who has twice had to return to New Zealand to attend to urgent family matters this season, will earn a cap is open to question with David Strettle of Harlequins and Wasps star Paul Sackey, who impressed in the World Cup, appearing to have first claim to the wing places. E-mail to a friend