Riki Flutey has recovered from a dead leg and is set to make a welcome return for England (10/11 with -14 match handicap withBetfred) in their Six Nations clash with Italy on Sunday (Italy 10/11 with +14 handicap).

The Brive centre was forced to miss Saturday’s opening 30-17 win against Wales at Twickenham but he is now back in training and coach Martin Johnson is expected to select him alongside Matthew Tait against the Italians.

That will mean Toby Flood, who came in for Flutey against Wales, is likely to drop to the bench for the Rome showdown in what is expected to Johnson’s only change as he looks to guide his side to back-to-back Six Nations wins.

Meanwhile, Leicester flanker Lewis Moody says England (11/4 to win the Six Nations in the outright market) will need to show all their battling qualities in the game as they come up against what he expects will be a typically physical Italian outfit.

“If Italy are good at anything, it is being a nuisance and stopping opposing teams from playing,” he said.

“In terms of physicality Italy are right up there as one of the best teams in the world. That is what their game is about. It is going to take every bit of our dog, heart and enthusiasm to get a result in Rome.”