Bath Rugby head coach Steve Meehan has praised Shontayne Hape's "modesty and humility" after the New Zealand-born centre was yesterday picked for England's RBS Six Nations campaign.

Sixteen months ago Hape was playing for Bath's second team, Bath United, tentatively feeling his way as he made the transition from rugby league to the 15-man code.

Now, after 33 appearances for Bath, Hape is on the cusp of making his England rugby union debut – less than three years after picking up his 14th and final cap for New Zealand's national rugby league side.

Hape, 28, is joined in the Red Rose Elite Player Squad by three other Bath players – wing Matt Banahan, Lions hooker Lee Mears and tighthead prop David Wilson. Duncan Bell, who featured in the Autumn Internationals, drops to the England Saxons squad.

Hape only qualified to play for England on residency grounds this month but was courted by England attack coach Brian Smith for much of 2009.

Meehan said he was impressed by how Hape had knuckled down since joining Bath from Bradford Bulls in the summer of 2008.

"Shontayne has been mature and humble in his approach," said the Bath head coach.

"He has taken his time and has been prepared to work hard on things.

"He has put in some wonderful performances for us. Defensively, our midfield is always at its strongest with him out there.

"If England want someone who is pretty direct, a decent size and has a good passing game, then Shontayne may be just what they are looking for."

Hape's inclusion in Martin Johnson's 32-man squad raises the prospect of England featuring two New Zealand-born players in the centres.

Riki Flutey was one of England's star players in last year's Six Nations, and the option of playing Flutey at inside centre and Hape at 13 is one attacking formation open to Johnson and Smith.

The other centres included in the squad are Leicester Tigers' Dan Hipkiss and Sale Sharks' Matthew Tait. Delon Armitage and Toby Flood can also play there.

Meehan added: "The centres have been an area where England have tried a number of players and haven't quite found the formula they are looking for, and they are now going to try someone else who has adapted codes pretty well. We will see what happens with Shontayne.

"His inclusion in the squad will help England assess him a little bit closer. His call-up is good reward – and possibly aided by the unavailability of Olly Barkley."

Hape's inclusion in the England squad has long been predicted by colleagues. Last season, current Bath captain Michael Claassens was already tipping Hape to break into the England set-up.

In September, Hape told the Chronicle: "If the England selectors think I'm good enough for the job it would be an opportunity I'd love to take with two hands and make the step up."