Injured trio remain in Lancaster’s thoughts ahead of Six Nations

Head coach Stuart Lancaster included the injured trio in the training squad called to Pennyhill Park yesterday to begin preparations for the tournament opener against France on Saturday, February 1 in Paris.

Northampton Saints prop Corbisiero continues to battle knee trouble, while club-mate Foden has knee ligament problems of his own.

London Irish flyer Yarde ruptured a tendon in his hip in November and was initially ruled out of Six Nations contention.

The 21-year-old’s prognosis has continued to improve, though, and this step is the first significant proof England are not ready to accept defeat in Yade’s fitness battle.

England met at their base to begin readying themselves for the trip with no new injury concerns.

Toby Flood, meanwhile, has admitted he agonised over a move to France that could spell the end of his England career as well as five years at Leicester Tigers.

The fly-half revealed he had “sleepless nights” before opting to move to the French Top 14 for next season, with Toulouse his expected destination.

Flood will relinquish the Leicester club captaincy, and forego the chance to add to his 60-cap haul, with England not selecting overseas-based stars. “It was a very tough decision and I weighed up many factors which gave me sleepless nights,” said the 28-year-old.

“It was never an easy decision as it would mean leaving a place like this (Leicester). I know what success means to the boys and I know what it means to be around them.

“But other bits and pieces came into it, like the England situation and where I wanted to be and what opportunities I may have.

“It came down to what felt right for me over the next three or four years.”

Former Rotherham Titans forward Sam Dickinson has been named in the England Saxons squad for their game against Ireland at Gloucester on Saturday. The Northampton player joins ex-Leeds Carnegie flanker Calum Clark in the 23-man squad.

Otley were beaten 26-25 in a thrilling National Two North game at Caldy on Saturday.

The defeat, suffered when the hosts grabbed a late try and conversion, was Otley’s fifth in six games and leaves them fifth bottom.

Otley did though pick up a try bonus as well as a point for losing by fewer than seven points.

Their four tries came through Freddie Watson – on his first appearance of the season – Tom O’Donnell, Harry Hudson and Chris Gemmell, who also added five points with the boot.