Rugby: England's Flutey back from the dead leg for Italian job

RIKI FLUTEY is in line for an immediate return to the England team after he was forced out of last weekend's RBS 6 Nations victory over Wales with a dead leg.

The Brive centre, who missed England's autumn Test campaign following shoulder surgery, had been picked to start alongside Mathew Tait in a new-look midfield combination.

Toby Flood was promoted into the starting line-up in his absence – but Flutey has returned to training and he is likely to be named in England's starting XV to face Italy on Sunday.

Martin Johnson was set to make his team announcement at midday today and there are expected to be few other changes from the 30-17 victory over Wales, if any.

The Leicester tight-head Dan Cole, who made his Test debut off the bench, is in with a chance of starting, particularly with David Wilson appearing to have shoulder trouble. Johnson will be selecting from the same 22 he originally named to play Wales plus the Worcester loose-head Matt Mullan and Harlequins flanker Chris Robshaw, who both remained with the squad after nine players were released last night.