Balshaw is promoted from the England Saxons squad to take over from Northamptons Cohen, who withdrew from the squad and the forthcoming World Cup as his wife is pregnant with twins.

'Iain was pretty close to being selected in the first place, said England head coach Brian Ashton.

He has a lot of international experience and can cover wing and full-back so he is a good back three position replacement for Ben.'

Cohen's fellow 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Balshaw, who won his 29th England cap against Italy in February's RBS 6 Nations match, said: 'It's good to get the call-up and hopefully I'll be given the opportunity to press my claims for selection.'

England Saxons coach Jim Mallinder added: 'I am delighted Iain has been given the opportunity to join the first team.

Within our 37-man England Saxons squad weve still got a good quality of cover for the back three so we wont be calling anyone else up for the Barclays Churchill Cup (May 18 to June 2).'