Lawrence Dallaglio, 34, last started a match for England in 2004England head coach Brian Ashton will unveil his 40-man training squad for this year's World Cup on Friday.
He is expected to recall most of the Wasps, Leicester and Bath players who missed the recent South Africa tour.
But fitness concerns remain over centres Mike Catt and Mike Tindall as well as number eight Dan Ward-Smith.
Ashton must also decide whether to recall former captain Lawrence Dallaglio, out of Test rugby since 2006, and the suspended Danny Grewcock.
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Bath second-rower Grewcock is banned for all three warm-up Tests and the first two pool matches against USA and South Africa.
Dallaglio, 34, last started a Test in 2004 and has struggled to reproduce his best form on a consistent basis.
Martin Johnson, who captained England to success four years ago, has already questioned whether the Wasps back-rower should be recalled.
It's not about next week, next year, the Six Nations, it's about the World Cup
Martin Johnson
"He has to be playing well enough to get in," said Johnson. "He didn't play in the Tests against South Africa, and he didn't play in the Six Nations.
"He played well for Wasps in the Heineken Cup final, but only for 50 minutes.
"Obviously he brings what he brings in terms of experience and leadership and who he is, but it's about getting the right guys on the field."
Johnson admits recalling Dallaglio would only be a temporary measure but says Ashton must pick players who are on top of their game.
"It's about now," said the former Leicester forward.
"It's not about next week, next year, the Six Nations, it's about the World Cup, getting your best team out there and there are balances in there."
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Dallaglio played his part in subduing favourites Leicester in that Twickenham final before being replaced by James Haskell for the last half-hour.
He has not played Test rugby since the 2006 Six Nations, when he appeared as a replacement, but could get an outing in England's three warm-up Tests in August against Wales and France (two).
In the wake of England's two recent thrashings in South Africa, Ashton said Dallaglio's leadership skills "may well be something we need, come World Cup time".
"If Brian and the coaches think bringing Lawrence into the squad is right then they should do it. He likes to be verbal and vocal and that's great," added Johnson.
"If they think they have some good young back-rowers who are playing better than Lawrence at the moment - and guys like Lewis Moody and Joe Worsley have played a lot of Test matches - then they should go with that."
"I've played with Lawrence and he's a world-class player. He has not started a Test match since 2004, he's 34-years-old.
"But Neil Back was 34 when he played in the last World Cup so age doesn't come into it.
Former England centre Jeremy Guscott believes Dallaglio's best days are behind him.
"There is no doubt he led Wasps to a brilliant victory in the European Cup," Guscott told BBC Sport.
"But I would leave him where's he been and remember him for the brilliant player he has been.
"My own personal view is that I believe Lawrence has had his best days as a rugby player, but if Brian Ashton feels that he needs him then that's Brian's shout."
Ashton will whittle down his squad to 30 on 14 August.