Luther Burell has returned to the England team and will start against Wales at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow night.
The Huddersfield-born centre missed England’s autumn international series due to a hand injury.
However, the 27-year-old’s form with Northampton has seen him recalled for the RBS Six Nations opener and he forms a new centre partnership with Bath’s Jonathan Joseph.
“Jonathan has been one of the form centres in the country. He and Luther have trained well together and this is a big opportunity for both of them,” said head coach Stuart Lancaster.
Lancaster has also named Danny Cipriani and Nick Easter on the bench for the Cardiff clash.
Cipriani provides fly-half cover for George Ford, while Easter, usually a No8, has been asked to deputise for the second row for the showdown.
Dan Cole returns at tighthead prop having recovered from a foot problem.England’s injury crisis means there are only nine survivors from the starting XV that toppled Australia in the climax to the autumn and just five from the 30-3 rout in Cardiff two years ago.
Cole features as a replacement for David Wilson, who has a neck problem, and is one of four British and Irish Lions returning to the 23 alongside Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola and Tom Croft, who are on the bench
