England rugby hospitality news: Hape selected for Six Nations squad

13/01/2010

England rugby hospitality ticketholders learned today (January 13th 2010) that Shontayne Hape has been included in Martin Johnson's 32-man Six Nations squad.

The ex-Rugby League star, who plays his club rugby for Bath, is one of three New Zealand-born players to have been selected for the Elite Playing Squad, alongside Dylan Hartley and Riki Flutey.

Hape has been selected ahead of the likes of Shane Geraghty to play at centre in the absence of Gloucester's Mike Tindall, who misses out through injury.

Veteran lock Simon Shaw was named by the England coach despite damaging his wrist and knee playing for Wasps against Leicester Tigers at the weekend, but his teammate Danny Cipriani will have to settle for a place in the Saxons squad after missing out on selection.

Fly-half Cipriani has made just three appearances so far this campaign, having recently recovered from a fractured tibia.

Elsewhere in the squad, two players who revived their international careers by moving to France - Jonny Wilkinson and James Haskell - also won inclusion.