Rugby: Cipriani and Easter join England squad to play Wales

Danny Cipriani returns to the squad after six years. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Danny Cipriani, Nick Easter and Tom Croft have completed remarkable returns to the international stage by being named in England's squad to face Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.

Cipriani, who has not featured in a Six Nations squad since 2008, will be named on the bench as five-eighths cover for George Ford, who will continue his partnership with Ben Youngs.

It is understood that Northampton five-eighths Stephen Myler was not considered for selection because of a calf strain. He is expected to come back into contention for the match against Italy at Twickenham on February 14.

But Cipriani, for so long a fringe figure for England, now has a golden opportunity to cement his place in the squad, despite beginning the season fourth in the five-eighths pecking order.

Easter, whose last appearance for England was in the 2011 World Cup quarter-final defeat by France, will also take his place on the bench, providing cover at back row and second row, with Billy Vunipola to return to the starting XV at No8. It is the first national call-up for Easter, of Harlequins, since Stuart Lancaster became England head coach in 2012.

Croft's return is just as remarkable given that he was drafted into England's Six Nations training squad only last week as cover for the injured Tom Wood. Croft, 29, the Leicester flanker, has not played for England since 2013 after losing almost all of last season to a knee injury that required further surgery last northern autumn and also ruled him out of the November test series.

Lancaster named a 25-man squad last night which included Mako Vunipola, who has recovered from a dislocated kneecap, and Kieran Brookes, with Henry Thomas to travel as extra front-row cover. Alex Corbisiero misses out, having not played enough rugby since his return for Northampton after a long lay-off with a shoulder injury. Joe Marler will retain his place at loosehead prop while, at hooker, Dylan Hartley will be preferred in the team to Tom Youngs, who also returns to the squad having missed the autumn tests with a shoulder injury.

Jack Nowell and Billy Twelvetrees have also been included, with Twelvetrees expected to provide backline cover when the squad is reduced to 23 this morning.

"Everyone named is fit and ready to go," Lancaster said. "While we have certain players unavailable through injury, it's great to be able to welcome back guys who missed the QBE internationals, such as Dan Cole, Mako Vunipola and Tom Youngs. Their experience, alongside that of players like Tom Croft and Nick Easter, will be invaluable against a strong Welsh team."

Easter, 36, has been in irresistible form for his club and forced himself into contention after Morgan was ruled out for four to six months with a broken leg last month. With 47 caps, Easter will bring much-needed experience to the squad for the trip to Cardiff, where England came unstuck chasing the Grand Slam two years ago.

Easter was one of the stars of England's previous victory against Wales in Cardiff four years ago, when he made 17 carries and 14 tackles.

While Cipriani did make two appearances off the bench for England in their defeats by New Zealand in Auckland and Hamilton last June when the team's resources at five-eighths were stretched, his last appearance in the Six Nations was a match-winning performance against Ireland at Twickenham in 2008.

He kicked 18 points and delivered such an assured performance on his first start for England in the 33-10 victory that many supporters felt he would be the natural successor to Jonny Wilkinson.

However, a serious ankle injury, subsequent indifferent form and a number of off-field controversies caused his international career to stall after he was dropped following the defeats by Australia and South Africa in the autumn of 2008.

A knee injury to Owen Farrell, who has been ruled out of the Six Nations campaign, opened the door for a possible return for Cipriani, who forced himself back into the senior training squad after a number of impressive performances for Sale.

Jonathan Joseph, the 23-year-old centre, will also return to the side. His midfield partner will be Northampton centre Luther Burrell, who has overcome the concussion he suffered two weeks ago and will start at 12 after missing the autumn series with a hand injury.

Richard Wigglesworth has edged out Danny Care as replacement halfback. Telegraph Group Ltd