Ellis return 'testament to his work ethic'

England scrum-half Harry Ellis is poised to make a rapid return after undergoing knee surgery.

Ellis has been named among the replacements for Leicester's Guinness Premiership clash against Madejski Stadium hosts London Irish on Sunday.

"Harry is 100-per-cent fit, and he has done really well to get back as quickly as he has," said Tigers head coach Pat Howard.

"At the start of the week, he wasn't really in my plans, but he has worked exceptionally hard and I think it is a testament to his work ethic."

Ellis' full recovery comes less than three weeks after he was injured during Tigers' Heineken Cup victory over the Ospreys, an incident which saw Ospreys lock Ian Evans cited and banned for eight weeks.

His speedy return to action will also provide a huge lift for England head coach Andy Robinson, with the world champions' RBS Six Nations opener against Wales barely a month away.