Leicester full-back Tim Stimpson was last night drafted into the England squad for Saturday's Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship clash against Wales amid growing fears about Jason Robinson's fitness.

Robinson is battling to overcome a lower abdominal injury that forced him off during Sale's Zurich Premiership victory over Wasps at the weekend.

And 28-year-old Stimpson, a 1997 British Lion, whose last England Test match start came in June 2000, joined the squad for training in Surrey today.

He has only recently returned to action after 11 weeks out nursing a fractured cheekbone, but is an experienced international performer, having won 16 caps, stretching back to his England debut against Italy in 1996.

No decision has yet been taken on whether former rugby league star Robinson, who has scored three tries from three starts in this season's championship, will be fit for the Twickenham appointment with Wales.

England boss Clive Woodward was due to announce his starting line-up today.

Robinson would be a huge loss to an England side looking for an immediate recovery following the Grand Slam-wrecking 20-15 defeat against France in Paris earlier this month.