The 22 year-old joins Andy Hazell and Andy Gomarsall, with Leicester's Martin Corry named as captain, and he becomes the 119th England player to receive the honour of captaining his country.
The England and Leicester Tigers number 8 has 35 England caps and has regularly captained his club. Throughout the Six Nations championship and last November's autumn internationals, Corry has played outstandingly, as part of an impressive England back row. The captaincy decision follows an injury to Jason Robinson's hand in Dublin last sunday.
Leon Lloyd of Leicester Tigers, who played for England in 2001 on the North America tour, has also been called into the squad. Nine of the 30 man England squad are from Leicester Tigers, the current Zurich Premiership leaders. Commenting on his selection, England head coach Andy Robinson said,
"Martin Corry has really impressed me with his performances for both England and Tigers this season. He has had some outstanding games. Together with other forwards such as Ben Kay, he has supported Jason Robinson by offering great leadership from the back row. I know he will step up to this challenge for this important game against Italy.
"I'd like to welcome James Simpson-Daniel back into the squad after his recent shoulder injury. Leon Lloyd has impressed for Tigers and I'm delighted to see him return to join the squad next week.
"I was unable to consider Henry Paul or Mathew Tait on this occasion as they are currently part of the England Sevens squad for the World Cup, where I am sure they will play an important part. "
ENGLAND 30 MAN SQUAD
BALSHAW, Iain - Leeds Tykes
BARKLEY, Olly - Bath
BELL, Duncan - Bath
BORTHWICK, Steve - Bath
CHUTER George - Leicester Tigers
COHEN, Ben - Northampton Saints
CORRY, Martin - Leicester Tigers - Captain
CUETO, Mark - Sale Sharks
DAWSON, Matt - London Wasps
ELLIS, Harry - Leicester Tigers
GOMARSALL, Andy - Gloucester
GOODE, Andy - Leicester Tigers
GREWCOCK, Danny - Bath
HAZELL, Andy - Gloucester
HODGSON, Charlie - Sale Sharks
JONES, Chris - Sale Sharks
KAY, Ben - Leicester Tigers
LEWSEY, Josh - London Wasps
LLOYD, Leon - Leicester Tigers
MOODY, Lewis - Leicester Tigers
NOON, Jamie - Newcastle Falcons
ROWNTREE, Graham - Leicester Tigers
SHAW, Simon - London Wasps
SHERIDAN, Andy - Sale Sharks
SIMPSON-DANIEL, James - Gloucester
SMITH, Ollie - Leicester Tigers
STEVENS, Matt - Bath
THOMPSON, Steve - Northampton Saints
TITTERRELL, Andy - Sale Sharks
WORSLEY, Joe - London Wasps
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