Worsley back from injury

Joe Worsley has been named in England’s 31-man training squad ahead of the RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against tournament favourites France next Saturday.

The Wasps back-row forward begins his comeback from a neck injury in tomorrow’s Guinness Premiership clash against Bath.

And if he emerges unscathed, then it would be no surprise if 65 times-capped Worsley is recalled by England to face Les Bleus in Paris.

Worsley, a replacement in the World Cup final against South Africa four months ago, has played little rugby since that competition ended.

But the 30-year-old offers huge experience to England head coach Brian Ashton, who has seen his team lose at home against Wales and then struggle past Italy in Rome.

Worsley’s Wasps team-mate Phil Vickery, meanwhile, is set to return as captain against France.

Vickery missed England’s Italian job due to a stomach bug, but he plays at Bath tomorrow.

Bath lock Steve Borthwick though, who replaced Vickery as skipper against Italy, is absent because of a knee injury suffered at Stadio Flaminio.

And Leicester flanker Lewis Moody’s international season remains on hold while he continues to recover from an Achilles tendon injury that forced him off during the Wales encounter.

But prop Andrew Sheridan, an absentee from Rome due to an infected cut on his heel, is on course to return against the French.

Ashton is due to announce his team for the World Cup semi-final rematch next Tuesday, with Worsley, Sale Sharks scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth – and possibly Sale wing Mark Cueto – among those tipped for call-ups.