GLOUCESTER'S Tongan former rugby league wing Lesley Vainikolo has been named in England's 32-man Six Nations squad.

Nicknamed 'The Volcano', the 28-year-old former Bradford Bulls star, who played league for New Zealand but qualifies for England on residency grounds, has scored nine tries in nine games in union to date.

Full-back Josh Lewsey and centre Andy Farrell, both part of the World Cup squad, have been dropped while Tom Croft and Danny Cipriani are included.

Phil Vickery is retained as captain despite doubts over his starting place.

England open their Six Nations campaign against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday, February 2.

England 32-man squad for RBS 6 Nations Championship: Backs: I Balshaw (Gloucester), D Cipriani (Wasps), M Cueto (Sale Sharks), T Flood (Newcastle), A Gomarsall (Harlequins), C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), J Noon (Newcastle), P Richards (London Irish), P Sackey (Wasps), D Strettle (Harlequins), M Tait (Newcastle), M Tindall (Gloucester), R Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks), J Wilkinson (Newcastle), L Vainikolo (Gloucester).

Forwards: S Borthwick (Bath), T Croft (Leicester), G Chuter (Leicester), L Deacon (Leicester), N Easter (Harlequins), J Haskell (Wasps), B Kay (Leicester), L Mears (Bath), L Moody (Leicester), T Payne (Wasps), T Rees (Wasps), M Regan (Bristol), S Shaw (Wasps), A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), M Stevens (Bath), P Vickery (Wasps, capt), J Worsley (Wasps).