FORMER Okehampton RFC player Julian White has been recalled to the England international squad preparing for the forthcoming Six Nations tournament.

He was originally in the England Saxons squad but the 35-year-old tight head was promoted to the first team squad to replace Matt Stephens after the Bath forward failed a drugs test.

Julian has been in excellent form for his club, Premiership side Leicester Tigers, and is due this week to make his 99th appearance for the club.

Richard Cockerill, the Leicester Tigers acting head coach, told the Times: 'It's not surprising that Julian has got back into the England set-up because everyone knows his scrummaging ability.

'I do not know of a better tight-head than him in the Guinness Premiership, if not the world.'

England team manager Martin Johnson said: 'Julian is an experienced international. He has had time out of the England set-up but he is in good form and is ready to make the step back up to the senior squad.'