Exclusive: Elevation rewards Hape's hard work

Ex-Bradford Bulls centre Hape was controversially named in Martin Johnson's squad for the RBS Six Nations championship yesterday, 18 months after leaving Odsal for Bath.

Hape, 28, qualified to play for England on residency grounds this month and the under-pressure manager – who saw his side score just one try in three autumn internationals – wasted no time parachuting him straight into his squad.

Johnson also promoted Northampton wing Chris Ashton – a home-grown rugby league convert from Wigan and the Guinness Premiership's leading try-scorer – with fellow Saints Ben Foden and Courtney Lawes into a new-look 32-man squad but it is Auckland-born Hape's inclusion which sparked most debate.

If he plays he will become the third former Kiwi rugby league international to feature for England after fellow Bradford stars Henry Paul and Vainikolo, who both struggled.

England's cricket selector Geoff Miller recently admitted he would consider blocking South African-born players – the next Kevin Pietersen or Jonathan Trott – from being picked in the future but Johnson is not following suit.

Gloucester winger Vainikolo, who formed a devastating partnership with Hape at Bradford before switching codes in 2007, believes the England coach has made a wise choice.

"We told Shonny he could do this when he was thinking about making the move and now all the hard work is paying off," he said. "I'll back him all the way. I wanted to play at the highest level with England and he's the same.

"Shonny's been playing great with Bath and I know he can with England too.

"Potentially he could be there in the first game (against Wales) and I hope he is. I've not played against him yet since he came to Bath but the way he's been going that's good for me.

"This is just the beginning for Shonny with England."

Hape is one of three New Zealand-born players in England's squad along with Riki Flutey and Dylan Hartley but Johnson sees no issue.

"It is what the players do when they are here, how they handle themselves, how they train, how they play and the commitment they have to that team," he insisted.

"Riki has been one of our outstanding players and characters in the team. Dylan Hartley as well. I've played with guys who are born overseas throughout my career. You could never doubt Mike Catt's commitment to the England cause.

"We have been impressed with Shontayne and he has an opportunity. His defence is outstanding and his ball-playing, ability to off-load in the tackle and make decisions in that area is fantastic."

Leeds Carnegie coach Neil Back yesterday revealed the national coach is considering picking their South African-born back-row Hendrie Fourie, confirming Johnson's stance on players born outside of England.

"Martin Johnson has told me he is looking at Hendrie and he's definitely in the frame," said the World Cup winner. "He's 30 now but forget age, it's whether Hendrie's good enough. He's been outstanding for Leeds Carnegie every time he's taken to the field this year and on the back of that he's been recognised by the England management.

"Hopefully he'll get an opportunity to play with England Saxons at some point. If he does, then it's up to him to take it."

England's revised Six Nations squad

Forwards: S Armitage (London Irish), S Borthwick (Saracens), J Crane (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), L Deacon (Leicester), N Easter (Harlequins), D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell (Stade Francais), C Lawes (Northampton), L Mears (Bath), L Moody (Leicester), T Payne (Wasps), S Shaw (Wasps), A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), S Thompson (CA Brive), J White (Leicester), D Wilson (Bath).

Backs: D Armitage (London Irish), C Ashton (Northampton), M Banahan (Bath), D Care (Harlequins), M Cueto (Sale Sharks), H Ellis (Leicester), T Flood (Leicester), B Foden (Northampton), R Flutey (CA Brive), S Hape (Bath), D Hipkiss (Leicester), P Hodgson (London Irish), U Monye (Harlequins), M Tait (Sale Sharks), J Wilkinson (Toulon).