Six Nations: Dicksons swap roles

HARLEQUINS scrum-half Karl Dickson has been called into the England squad as a replacement for his younger brother Lee, who fractured a bone in his left hand against Scotland.

Lee Dickson, the Northampton scrum-half, is expected to be sidelined for four weeks after suffering the injury during his Test debut as a replacement in England’s 13-6 Calcutta Cup victory.

Toby Flood is in contention for a return to the England team for next weekend’s RBS Six Nations clash with Italy after being recalled to the training squad. Flood made his comeback from a knee ligament injury on Saturday, playing 30 minutes off the bench in Leicester’s 24-13 LV= Cup win over Newcastle.

The Tigers fly-half will have until tomorrow night, when England’s 32-man squad is trimmed down, to convince interim head coach Stuart Lancaster of his fitness. England are monitoring the shoulder injury that forced Charlie Hodgson to leave the field against Scotland.