England players return to boost Leicester Tigers for Harlequins clash

Leicester Tigers have been handed a major boost by England ahead of their top-of-the-table clash with Harlequins on Saturday.

Toby Flood, Manu Tuilagi and Thomas Waldrom have all been released by England, who have a rest weekend before the Six Nations campaign re-starts a week on Saturday.

The trio can all play in the Quins game at The Stoop on Saturday tea-time as they have had limited game-time for England so far in the Six Nations.

Flood was an unused replacement during Sunday's Ireland game, Tuilagi played just 33 minutes after missing the opener against Scotland and Waldrom only came on for the last few minutes in Dublin.

The England squad from the victory against Ireland will meet up at St George's Park, Burton, for a training camp on Tuesday evening.

However, the three Tigers players along with five others will be released back to their clubs on Wednesday evening.

It is not all good news for Tigers as Harlequins' influential scrum-half Danny Care has also been released.

The full list of those released is: Danny Care (Harlequins), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers) and David Wilson (Bath)