Newcastle Falcons centre Jamie Noon has been named in the England team for Sunday’s Six Nations clash against Italy in Rome.

The 28-year-old joins Newcastle team mates Toby Flood and Jonny Wilkinson in the starting XV, while fellow Falcon Mathew Tait is included on the bench.

Falcons director of rugby, John Fletcher, said: “I’m over the moon for Noony, because I know how much it means to him.

“To have the whole of the England inside backs for a Six Nations Test come from Newcastle Falcons, plus Mathew Tait on the bench, is another statement about the progress we are making as a club, and I’m sure all four will give great accounts of themselves over in Italy.”