Mike Tindall has labelled Gloucester team-mate Olly Morgan "the new Matt Perry" following his recall to the England squad.

The 23-year-old full-back, who won two caps during the 2007 Six Nations Championship, was recalled along with Tindall when Martin Johnson named his revised 32-man Elite Player Squad yesterday.

Tindall's close friend and former Bath team-mate Perry had won 36 caps for England and three for the British & Irish Lions by the age of 24, only for injury to end his career.

Tindall still holds Perry's achievements in high regard, with the 31-year-old being renowned for his solid defence and flawless displays under the high ball.

"Olly Morgan has been absolutely outstanding this year," said Tindall.

"Every time he plays, he performs. He's rock solid and to me he's the new Matt Perry or the new Tony Adams – the rock at the back.

"He turns up every game, does his basics well and even scores a lot of tries. He is the joint top try-scorer in the Guinness Premiership and he deserves his England call-up because he has worked hard for it."

Tindall is restored to the 32-strong Elite group having been omitted following the disastrous summer tour to New Zealand.

The 30-year-old World Cup winner has started 17 of Gloucester's 19 matches so far this season and has played some of his best rugby since England's success in Australia in 2003.

But he knows he still has a lot of work to do if he is to start England's opening Six Nations clash at home to Italy on February 7.

"It's great to be back, but ideally you want to make sure you are in that 22, so I'm not too excited yet – I've still got a lot of work to do," he said.