Gloucester wing James Simpson-Daniel has been called into the England squad as injury cover ahead of Saturday's Six Nations Championship opener with Italy at Twickenham.

The 26-year-old, who has recently returned to action after three months out with an ankle injury, is in the squad as Harlequins wing Ugo Monye is struggling with a back problem.

Simpson-Daniel, nicknamed Sinbad, has won 10 caps for England but has not figured for his country since the 58-10 defeat against South Africa in May 2007.

Meanwhile, his Gloucester team-mate Nick Wood is in the 24-man England Saxons squad to face Ireland A in Dublin on Friday. Bath have three players involved – lock Stuart Hooper, full-back Nick Abendanon and wing Matt Banahan.

Wasps playmaker Danny Cipriani has also been named in the Saxons squad, and Bristol assistant coach Paul Hull, who is among the Saxons' staff, is looking forward to working with Cipriani and half-back partner Harry Ellis. He said: "We're up against a strong side and it's great to have players of the calibre and experience of Danny Cipriani and Harry Ellis in such key positions."

England Saxons – Forwards: D Cole, J Crane (both Leicester), P Dowson (Newcastle), T Guest (Harlequins), S Hooper (Bath), M Mullan (Worcester), D Paice (London Irish), C Robshaw (Harlequins), W Skinner (Harlequins), G Skivington (capt), R Webber (both Wasps), D Wilson (Newcastle), N Wood (Gloucester). Backs: N Abendanon, M Banahan (both Bath), M Brown (Harlequins), D Cipriani (Wasps), H Ellis (Leicester), P Hodgson (London Irish), S Myler (Northampton), T Ojo (London Irish), D Strettle, J Turner-Hall (both Harlequins), D Waldouck (Wasps).