DEAN RICHARDS could make a dramatic return to the England side for next Saturday's Five Nations opener against France in Paris.

He has been drafted into Jack Rowell's squad to cover for injuries to Ben Clarke and Tim Rodber after six months in the international wilderness.

Ignored since last summer's World Cup, the Leicester number eight had been asked to return his England issue rowing machine and mobile telephone.

But now he could play in Paris and add to his total of 45 caps after being summoned to join the England squad for training at Bisham Abbey when it was discovered that Clarke had a problem around his left hip and lower abdomen which a scan has failed to identify.

Although replacement Rodber is confident of recovering full fitness from ankle and knee injuries in time Rowell has hinted that that 32-year-old Richards could win his vote.

Rowell said: "We will make the decision by Wednesday. Having said that it is between Rodber and Richards if Ben Clarke is injured, I would rather play an out-and-out number eight and that would be Richards.

"At this stage that is the thinking." All of which pleases Richards who admitted: "I was surprised to get the call. Very surprised. It was fairly short notice. I hope the injuries do clear up But it was nice to be back training, with the boys."

Pack leader Clarke has not managed to take a full part in the training camp and missed yesterday morning's vigorous work out.

Although the player is confident of recovering in time Rowell is more gloomy.

"Clarke has what looks like a complex injury," said Rowell. "While I am not qualified medically, I think the Clarke injury has bamboozled, if I can use that word, the medical staff.

"He may play. He is feeling better today but if he doesn't then his place will be decided between Dean Richards and Tim Rodber.

"Rodber is making an improvement but we don't know if he will get there in time."

Rowell admitted that the presence of Leicester Tigers' captain Richards - someone for whom the French have great respect - had been felt by the rest of the squad.

Rowell said: "I've asked Dean Richards into the squad because of his experience. I think it would be invaluable and I think he will bring a lot of cement into an attacking mobile pack.

Clarke and Rodber are not the only casualties, Rowell was forced to call up Wasps Damian Hopley as cover for replacement three quarter Phil de Glanville (groin), and Leicester hooker Richard Cockerill also turned up on Friday because first choice Mark Regan had a slight groin strain as well as a pulled tendon in his right thumb which affected his throwing in at the line-out.

Replacememt hooker Graham Dawe is just recovering from a bout of flu while fly half Paul Grayson is suffering from a thigh strain.

Despite all this anxiety and Rowell's admission that the French are formidable, he believes the defending champions can emerge victorious.

"We can win," insists Rowell "We've planned to win and we know how to win."

English rugby union was in turmoil last night after a chaotic special general meeting in Birmingham. It broke up abruptly when representatives of the member clubs proposed that the debate on amateurism should be suspended and put off to yet another SGM.

The delegates had approved the international Board's move to an open game, but the meeting was halted before the Rugby Union Commission's report implementing professionalism could be received.