WORCESTER'S Luke Narraway has been called up to the England Saxons squad to face Ireland A' and Italy A' next month.

The Gloucester back-rower had been tipped for a place in Brian Ashton's senior squad for the RSB Six Nations, however, the former King's School student will get the chance to press his claims for a first team call by impressing in Steve Bates' squad.

The 24-year-old, who has been shining for the Guinness Premiership league leaders, will be joined in the Saxons squad by former Worcester players Dylan Hartley, who now plays for First Division Northampton, and Richard Blaze, who is at Welford Road with Leicester.

Former Warriors' scrum-half Andy Gomarsall has been named in Ashton's senior squad for the Six Nations which starts with England facing Wales on February 2.

The Red Rose head coach did manage to spring one or two surprises in his 32-man squad, none more so than the call up of Gloucester's powerhouse wing Lesley Vainikolo, while Wasps full-back Josh Lewsey, Saracens centre Andy Farrell and troubled Bath number 12 Olly Barkley are all left out.

Ashton said Tonga-born Vai-nikolo possessed "a wow factor" and he had noted his impressive transition from the 13-a-side code.

"His transition to the union game has been fairly straightforward - he does not look like a rugby league player playing union," he said.

"He is the top try scorer in the Guinness Premiership this season, and he has got an X' factor. He is an incredibly strong, explosive player. He has good footwork and is a threat all over the field," added Ashton.

Ashton also revealed he had no hesitation in retaining Wasps' prop Phil Vickery as captain.

He added: "We came through a difficult year together last year. Phil Vickery stood by me, and I've stood by him.

"We need some continuity and stability during the next six months, and Phil is the ideal guy for that."

England 32-man squad for RBS Six Nations Championship: Backs - Balshaw (Gloucester), Cipriani (Wasps), Cueto (Sale Sharks), Flood (Newcastle), Gomarsall (Harlequins), C. Hodgson (Sale Sharks), Noon (Newcastle), Richards (London Irish), Sackey (Wasps), Strettle (Harlequins), Tait (Newcastle), Tindall (Gloucester), Wiggles-worth (Sale Sharks), Wilkinson (Newcastle), Vainikolo (Gloucester).

Forwards - Borthwick (Bath), Croft (Leicester), Chuter (Leicester), Deacon (Leicester), Easter (Harlequins), Haskell (Wasps), Kay (Leicester), Mears (Bath), Moody (Leicester), Payne (Wasps), Rees (Wasps), Regan (Bristol), Shaw (Wasps), Sheridan (Sale Sharks), Stevens (Bath), Vickery (Wasps, capt), Worsley (Wasps).

England Saxons squad for games against Ireland A' and Italy A' in February: Backs - Abendanon (Bath), Allen (Gloucester), Armitage (London Irish), Arscott (Bristol), Ashton (Northampton), M. Brown (Harlequins), Care (Harlequins), Dickson (Newcastle), Geraghty (London Irish), Hipkiss (Leicester), P. Hodgson (London Irish), Lamb (Gloucester), Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), Smith (Leicester), Varndell (Leicester).

Forwards - A Brown (Gloucester), Blaze (Leicester), Clarke (Bristol), Crane (Leicester), Dowson (Newcastle), Hartley (Northampton), Hobson (Bristol), Kennedy (London Irish), Lipman (Bath), Lund (Sale Sharks), Narraway (Gloucester), Paice (London Irish), Palmer (Wasps), Titterrell (Gloucester), Wilson (Newcastle), Wood (Gloucester), Woods (Newcastle).