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London - Former New Zealand rugby league international Shontayne Hape was named on Wednesday in England's squad for the Six Nations rugby union tournament.
The 28-year-old Hape, uncapped in union, was joined in the 32-man squad selected by England manager Martin Johnson by another former rugby league player who has yet to make his England debut in Northampton's in-form wing Chris Ashton.
Hape, a centre who won 14 caps for the Kiwis in the 13-man code, joined Riki Flutey and Dylan Hartley as the third New Zealand-born player in the England squad.
The back has been monitored by the England management since moving to Bath from Bradford Bulls rugby league club in 2008.
Hape qualified for England on residency grounds and has been selected ahead of Shane Geraghty and Ayoola Erinle, who both played in England's November series, to replace Gloucester's injured 2003 World Cup-winner Mike Tindall.
If Hape features during the Six Nations, he will become the third former New Zealand rugby league international to play for England after Henry Paul and Lesley Vainikolo.
"It gives us some good competition and depth in that area," Johnson, explaining Hape's selection, told reporters at a Twickenham news conference here on Wednesday.
Johnson, England's 2003 World Cup-winning captain, insisted the presence of several New Zealand-born players was not an issue as far as he was concerned.
"It's what they do when they are in there that matters," he said. "You could never doubt (South Africa-born) Mike Catt's commitment to England."
Hape has been brought in to bolster the attacking options of an England side that managed just one try in three Tests in November, during a win over Argentina that fell between defeats by Australia and New Zealand.
Ashton, who under the terms of England's complicated agreement with the country's Premiership clubs has been drafted in to replace injured prop and former captain Phil Vickery, has been in fine form this season.
The 22-year-old wing has scored 15 tries in 16 matches in all competitions so far this term and has formed a productive partnership in the Saints back three with Ben Foden, also called up into the England squad on Wednesday.
But as well as the new boys there was a place in the squad for 2003 World Cup winning fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.
However, Wasps playmaker Danny Cipriani missed out on selection and was chosen instead for the second-string Saxons squad.
Nick Easter, Delon Armitage, Flutey and Toby Flood, who all missed the November campaign through injury, were included in the senior squad.
England, last season's runners-up to Grand Slam champions Ireland, begin their Six Nations campaign at home to Wales on February 6.
England squad
Backs
Delon Armitage, Chris Ashton, Matt Banahan, Danny Care, Mark Cueto, Harry Ellis, Toby Flood, Ben Foden, Riki Flutey, Shontayne Hape, Dan Hipkiss, Paul Hodgson, Ugo Monye, Mathew Tait, Jonny Wilkinson
Forwards
Steffon Armitage, Steve Borthwick, Jordan Crane, Tom Croft, Louis Deacon, Nick Easter, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell, Courtney Lawes, Lee Mears, Lewis Moody, Tim Payne, Simon Shaw, Andrew Sheridan, Steve Thompson, Julian White, David Wilson
The 28-year-old Hape, uncapped in union, was joined in the 32-man squad selected by England manager Martin Johnson by another former rugby league player who has yet to make his England debut in Northampton's in-form wing Chris Ashton.
Hape, a centre who won 14 caps for the Kiwis in the 13-man code, joined Riki Flutey and Dylan Hartley as the third New Zealand-born player in the England squad.
The back has been monitored by the England management since moving to Bath from Bradford Bulls rugby league club in 2008.
Hape qualified for England on residency grounds and has been selected ahead of Shane Geraghty and Ayoola Erinle, who both played in England's November series, to replace Gloucester's injured 2003 World Cup-winner Mike Tindall.
If Hape features during the Six Nations, he will become the third former New Zealand rugby league international to play for England after Henry Paul and Lesley Vainikolo.
"It gives us some good competition and depth in that area," Johnson, explaining Hape's selection, told reporters at a Twickenham news conference here on Wednesday.
Johnson, England's 2003 World Cup-winning captain, insisted the presence of several New Zealand-born players was not an issue as far as he was concerned.
"It's what they do when they are in there that matters," he said. "You could never doubt (South Africa-born) Mike Catt's commitment to England."
Hape has been brought in to bolster the attacking options of an England side that managed just one try in three Tests in November, during a win over Argentina that fell between defeats by Australia and New Zealand.
Ashton, who under the terms of England's complicated agreement with the country's Premiership clubs has been drafted in to replace injured prop and former captain Phil Vickery, has been in fine form this season.
The 22-year-old wing has scored 15 tries in 16 matches in all competitions so far this term and has formed a productive partnership in the Saints back three with Ben Foden, also called up into the England squad on Wednesday.
But as well as the new boys there was a place in the squad for 2003 World Cup winning fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.
However, Wasps playmaker Danny Cipriani missed out on selection and was chosen instead for the second-string Saxons squad.
Nick Easter, Delon Armitage, Flutey and Toby Flood, who all missed the November campaign through injury, were included in the senior squad.
England, last season's runners-up to Grand Slam champions Ireland, begin their Six Nations campaign at home to Wales on February 6.
England squad
Backs
Delon Armitage, Chris Ashton, Matt Banahan, Danny Care, Mark Cueto, Harry Ellis, Toby Flood, Ben Foden, Riki Flutey, Shontayne Hape, Dan Hipkiss, Paul Hodgson, Ugo Monye, Mathew Tait, Jonny Wilkinson
Forwards
Steffon Armitage, Steve Borthwick, Jordan Crane, Tom Croft, Louis Deacon, Nick Easter, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell, Courtney Lawes, Lee Mears, Lewis Moody, Tim Payne, Simon Shaw, Andrew Sheridan, Steve Thompson, Julian White, David Wilson
