Dickson answers England SOS

England have called up Harlequins scrumhalf Karl Dickson as a replacement for his younger brother Lee, who fractured a bone in his left hand in Saturday's Six Nations win over Scotland.

Northampton scrumhalf Lee is likely to be sidelined for four weeks after suffering the injury during his Test debut as a replacement in England's 13-6 Calcutta Cup victory, so Karl has been brought into the Six Nations squad.

Karl has started only five games for his club this season and has made only one appearance since the middle of November.

Toby Flood could win a return to the England team for next weekend's clash with Italy after being recalled to the training squad.

Flood made his comeback from a knee ligament injury on Saturday, playing 30 minutes off the bench in Leicester's 24-13 win over Newcastle.

The Tigers flyhalf will have until Tuesday, when England's 32-man squad is trimmed down, to convince interim head coach Stuart Lancaster of his match fitness.

Meanwhile, England are monitoring the shoulder injury that forced Charlie Hodgson to leave the field against Scotland.

Manu Tuilagi, Courtney Lawes and Tom Wood are already all unavailable for the game in Rome's Olympic Stadium next Saturday due to injuries.

Tuilagi is expected to resume training with Leicester this week and is on course to be available for England's first home game of the Six Nations campaign against Wales on February 25.

AFP