Leeds’s Fourie is only change to Johnson’s Six Nations squad

Hendre Fourie has replaced Joe Worsley in the England squad to play Italy in Saturday’s RBS Six Nations match at Twickenham after proving he has recovered from a calf strain.

The inclusion of the Leeds flanker is the only change Martin Johnson has made to the 22-man squad which opened their championship campaign with a 26-19 victory in Wales last Friday.

Fourie’s injury meant he was not considered for the trip to the Millennium Stadium but he came through the first half of Leeds’ LV= Cup defeat to Northampton unscathed, scoring one try and setting up another before being replaced at the interval.

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Worsley, who came off the bench for England against Wales, is among 12 players released back to their clubs for Aviva Premiership action this weekend.

Johnson will confirm his starting line-up at mid-day tomorrow but he is picking from a settled squad and if there are any changes at all from the Wales game, they are expected to minimal.

Players released: Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby), George Chuter (Leicester Tigers), Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Paul Doran-Jones (Gloucester Rugby), Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints), Riki Flutey (London Wasps), Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester Rugby), George Skivington (Leicester Tigers), David Strettle (Saracens) and Joe Worsley (London Wasps).