Lewis Moody has returned to England's Elite Player Squad as one of eight Tigers selected in Martin Johnson's 32-man set-up for the autumn internationals.

The 31-year-old has been elevated to the main squad from the Saxons after some sensational performances for his club in the last five weeks.

It will be his first appearance in the squad for a major international for 20 months since picking up an Achiiles injury against Wales in the Six Nations in February 2008.

Moody did make an appearance in the game against the Barbarians last spring.

He joins George Chuter, Ben Kay, Louis Deacon, Richard Blaze, Tom Croft, Jordan Crane and Dan Hipkiss in the squad.

Prop Julian White misses out after tearing his hamstring in Leicester's 18-12 loss at London Irish at the weekend.

Toby Flood, Sam Vesty and Harry Ellis are also ruled out by injury.

England have three internationals on consecutive weekends at Twickenham and will play Australia (Nov 7), Argentina (Nov 14) and New Zealand (Nov 21).

Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill said he was pleased for all his players who had made the cut, especially for Moody and the uncapped Blaze. "Lewis played really well for us at Irish. He is a quality player and England might need a bit of experience around the forward pack," said Cockerill.

"He is fighting fit and playing well.

"I think he has been the heartbeat of the Tigers team over the last few weeks.

"He is a guy to put his heart on the line for you.

"He is a good option for England because he chases and harries so well."

Blaze joined Leicester from Worcester in the summer of 2007 but has made only 12 starts in two years.

A long-term neck injury affected his opening season before a stress fracture of the foot did for most of last year.

Cockerill said the call-up was a good reward for all of his hard work.

"Richard is a very good player and he has worked hard to get back from his injury problems last season."

Cockerill added: "He is in a very competitive position in the Tigers squad and now he has an opportunity to work with the England set-up."

england squad: S Armitage, Barnes, Bell, Blaze, Borthwick (captain), Chuter, Crane, Croft, L Deacon, Hartley, Haskell, Kay, Lawes, Moody, Payne, Thompson, Wilson, J Worsley. Banahan, Care, Cueto, Foden, Geraghty, A Goode, Hipkiss, Hodgson, Monye, Strettle, M Tait, Tindall, Wigglesworth, Wilkinson.