NICK EASTER has been replaced in England’s senior squad by uncapped Northampton forward Courtney Lawes after losing his battle with a calf injury.

Easter tore the muscle in his right leg in Harlequins’ 26- 22 Guinness Premiership victory over Worcester on Saturday and has been ruled out for four weeks.

It is the latest blow to a squad that has been heavily disrupted by injury, but Easter’s absence has enabled Lawes to continue his rapid rise up the ranks.

There was a recall, however, for Jonny Wilkinson, the former Newcastle Falcon now enjoying playing in France.

Lawes’ promotion from the Saxons to elite player squad is one of 11 straight changes, which include the return of World Cup winners Lewis Moody and Steve Thompson.

A replacement has yet to be named for injured prop Julian White, but Stade Francais number eight James Haskell is back in the fold to complete the 32.

Bath’s veteran props Duncan Bell and David Barnes are included to address the frontrow crisis, while winger David Strettle, fly-half Andy Goode and Shane Geraghty also return.

There is also a place in the squad for uncapped Leicester second row Richard Blaze.

The 24-year-old’s presence has come at the expense of Simon Shaw, who is recovering from a fractured metatarsal and may even struggle to be ready for the concluding Test against New Zealand on November 21.

Saracens lock Steve Borthwick has been confirmed as skipper for the series, which opens against Australia on November 7 and includes a fixture against Argentina a week later.

‘‘The whole squad is looking forward to three very tough games in November,’’ said Johnson.

‘‘Steve has been appointed captain and I’m sure he will continue to do an excellent job.

‘‘We’ve had to make a number of changes to the senior EPS because of injuries but we have strength in depth.

‘‘Each of the players coming in has the opportunity to push themselves into contention for the opener against Australia.’’ Johnson has been forced to make wholesale changes by a crippling injury list that has robbed England of seven guaranteed starters and one of their replacements in White.

Props Andrew Sheridan, Phil Vickery and White, hooker Lee Mears, openside Tom Rees, number eight Easter, centre Riki Flutey and fullback Delon Armitage have been ruled out for the entire series.

Fly-half Toby Flood is also unavailable for all three Tests, while scrum-half Harry Ellis, full-back Olly Morgan and Shaw remain in the treatment room.

The versatile Northampton back Ben Foden has come in for Morgan while Richard Wigglesworth of Sale takes Ellis’ spot.

Johnson has picked three uncapped players in the squad – Barnes, Blaze and Lawes.

Barnes was not even included among the Saxons when the squads were announced during the summer but the extent of the injury crisis means he could win his first cap - at the age of 33.

His club team-mate Bell made both his England appearances in 2005 and with David Wilson also selected, Bath find themselves supplying three props to the 32.

However, those players uninvolved in the matchday squad will be released back to their clubs.

Blaze has won admirers for his form at Leicester this season, but it is the presence of Lawes, who is comfortable in the back or second rows, that really excites.

As recently as June he was in the England Under-20 team that reached the Junior World Cup final and is exceptionally physical for a 20-year-old rookie.

Haskell’s return comes after Johnson had warned the exodus of England players to France that they might hinder their international prospects by signing for Top 14 clubs.

But the former Wasps back row’s presence lifts the size of the French contingent to four, including Wilkinson at Toulon.