England boss Brian Ashton is likely to make a decision later on Wednesday on whether to recall Balshaw or retain the 27-year-olds Gloucester colleague Olly Morgan.

Full-back Balshaw was replaced by Morgan for the 42-20 Calcutta Cup victory over Scotland, but his groin strain has caused him no major discomfort so far this week.

Balshaw said: I came through on Monday and Tuesday, and I will do the team session on Wednesday. I feel good.

I was pretty upset to miss last weekend, especially after wed had such a good training camp leading into the game, but then I just had to think about getting fit, to be honest.

Balshaw is relishing being part of Ashtons new-look England, adding: The biggest thing is that it has been really enjoyable. There is a buzz in the camp.

There is a lot of expectancy and I think there is a bit more to come in terms of performance.

Obviously, the main objective is to win, but we also want to perform as a team and step it up from the Scotland game in all areas and keep trying to get better and better with every game we play.

Ashton, meanwhile, has moved to allay fears about number eight Martin Corrys fitness for the Italian job ahead.

He said: Martin has got an infection in his arm and he is on a course of antibiotics. We are not concerned at this stage.

While England now switch attention to an Italy side reeling from a 39-3 home defeat against France last weekend, excitement has hardly subsided following fly-half Jonny Wilkinsons record-breaking Calcutta Cup display.

His 27-point haul in a first England appearance since the 2003 World Cup final underlined the Newcastle stars astounding ability to perform when pressure is at its most intense.

Ashton added: It is difficult to say whether I was surprised or whether I wasnt [by his performance]. To actually do it at international level after a gap of more than three years must have been special for him.

I knew he had the technical ability, I knew he had the game understanding. He told me that physically and mentally he was fine, but to actually put it all together like that was quite a performance.