Dawson in Six Nations squad

Matt Dawson, England's World Cup-winning scrum-half, ended his temporary international exile today.

The London Wasps star has been included in Andy Robinson's squad for the Six Nations championship which starts against Wales in Cardiff on 5 February.

Dawson was dumped by new England head coach Robinson earlier this season after opting to honour a BBC Question of Sport filming date rather than train with England.

Also back in the Test frame is Wasps hooker Phil Greening, who fell out of favour with former head coach Sir Clive Woodward in 2001 and has been battling against injury problems in recent seasons.

Both Dawson and Greening have been included in the 57-strong elite squad but only the Lions scrum-half has also been named in the 42-strong Six Nations squad to train with Leeds Rhinos rugby league team next week at Headingley.

Robinson was adamant that Dawson would be included in his Six Nations plans if form and fitness warranted a recall. It also keeps Dawson's hopes of another Lions tour alive and he could become the leading No9 for the Test series with New Zealand in the summer.

Dawson said: "Nothing has changed as far as my desire to play for England again and I am just cracking on with my rugby. I don't see this period of the year as a new start for me because we are half way through the season and I was told that if I am good enough then they will look at me for England."

Sale wing Mark Cueto has been named in the elite squad having broken into the England team for the Autumn internationals despite not being rated in the top 57 players at the start of the season.