England v Italy, March 10
Lancaster retains winning formula
ESPN Staff
February 25, 2013
England's Chris Ashton tries to get past Christophe Samson, England v France, Six Nations, Twickenham, England, February 23, 2013
England's Chris Ashton has kept his place in the squad for the Test with Italy © PA Photos
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England boss Stuart Lancaster has opted against chopping and changing his squad ahead of their next Six Nations match with Italy on March 10.

England's Chris Ashton has come in for some criticism following his performance against France on Saturday but he looks set to keep his place in the squad. But he will face competition for a place in the starting line-up from his Saracens team-mate David Strettle who was also included in the revised 31-man group that will train at Pennyhill Park this week.

Strettle shone for Saracens at the weekend and scored two tries in their impressive win over Leicester at Welford Road. He could force Ashton out of the team for England's next Test but it looks like Wasps' Christian Wade will have to wait a little longer for a call up after not being included in the training party.

Elliot Daly, Henry Thomas and Will Fraser are also not included having been previously called up as injury cover. Uncapped duo Billy Vunipola and Joel Tomkins, however, have kept their place in the mix.

England were previously monitoring the fitness of Alex Corbisiero and Ben Morgan but the pair will meet up with the squad on Monday evening. Owen Farrell, who sustained a leg injury against France, is also included.

England will release a few players for Aviva Premiership duty on Tuesday with the full squad returning to training on Monday March 4.

England squad:

Forwards: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (London Wasps), Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Billy Vunipola (London Wasps), David Wilson (Bath Rugby), Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Backs: Chris Ashton (Saracens), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers), Ben Foden (Northampton Saints), Alex Goode (Saracens), David Strettle (Saracens), Joel Tomkins (Saracens), Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

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