Harlequins number eight Nick Easter has been confirmed in the 34-man training squad preparing for England's Six Nations opener against Wales on February 6.

The 36-year-old, who has 47 international caps, has not played for his country since head coach Stuart Lancaster took charge in 2011.

Easter, in sparkling form for his club for the past two seasons, has been touted for a recall all season and is joined in the squad by fellow former outcast Danny Cipriani.

There are five Quins - Easter, Danny Care, Mike Brown, Chris Robshaw and Joe Marler - in the senior England squad, while winger Marland Yarde has made selection with the Saxons.

But Quins head coach John Kingston had nothing but praise for the way his number eight has battled back into international contention.

"Nick is an incredibly intelligent rugby player," he said.

"He will have been disappointed not to have had more international involvement over the last few years.

"But he has stuck to his guns, worked hard and I’m delighted he has that international recognition again.”