Jones has been in and out of the England side

Number eight Corry missed Wednesday's session, although England are confident he will be fit to face Italy in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday.

If he is ruled out, Jones is likely to start at blind-side with new cap Nick Easter switched to number eight.

Iain Balshaw proved his fitness by coming through training unscathed.

The Gloucester full-back missed last weekend's victory over Scotland with a groin strain.

Balshaw said: "I feel good. There is a buzz around the squad and I think there is a bit more to come in terms of performance."

It wasn't that long ago when Richard Hill was one of the best back-row forwards in world rugby, if not the best England coach Brian Ashton

Meanwhile, World Cup winner Richard Hill took part in full England training on Tuesday for the first time in three seasons.

Hill, whose last game for England was against Australia in 2004, has undergone two knee reconstructions and defied medical advice to continue playing.

And the Saracens flanker's presence raised the prospect of Hill returning before the end of the tournament.

"Now he's back to fitness, I thought it would be good to come along and see what we're trying to build," said England head coach Brian Ashton.

"It wasn't that long ago when he was one of the best back-row forwards in world rugby, if not the best.

"I will speak to him and I'm sure he will let me know when he is ready, as Jonny [Wilkinson] did."

Italy could pose a bigger threat than Scotland did to us England coach Brian Ashton

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

Jones, who played lock against South Africa last November, will play for England Saxons against Ireland A in Belfast on Friday if Corry recovers in time.

Ashton added that Italy, whose three previous Twickenham visits have seen them concede 159 points, could prove a tougher nut to crack than Scotland.

"A lot of Italian players are knocking around in the Guinness Premiership now and we have to look at them in a totally different way than we looked at Scotland," said Ashton.

"Italy could pose a bigger threat than Scotland did to us. They have got a very physical and very experienced pack of forwards.

"If we don't get the edge over Italy up front, then we will have to find another way of doing it.

"I have seen a dramatic improvement that [coach] Pierre Berbizier has made with the Italian side. They are a far more complete side now."

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