CALCUTTA CUP MATCH:DANNY CIPRIANI was handed the chance to make the England fullback berth his own after Brian Ashton yesterday named him in his starting 15 for Saturday's Six Nations game against Scotland at Murrayfield.

The 20-year-old, normally an outhalf at Wasps, comes in to make his first international start replacing Iain Balshaw, who drops to the bench.

Tom Croft, impressive as an early replacement in the 24-13 win in Paris, starts at blindside flanker in place of James Haskell, who is out with a twisted ankle.

Lee Mears will start at hooker with George Chuter on the bench and Mark Regan out of the 22.

Cipriani featured as a late replacement in England's first two games and though he spent much of last season at fullback, including playing there in the European Cup final, he has spent most of the current campaign for his club at number 10.

Frank Hadden sent for his "ultimate warrior" in an attempt to rescue Scotland's season as he recalled number eight Simon Taylor for Scotland's crunch Calcutta Cup clash.

Hadden could not find room for captain Jason White in his team, leaving the Sale Sharks man on the bench, and there was no room in the match squad for Scott Murray, who had looked poised for an 88th cap.

But Stade Français man Taylor will make his first appearance for the national side since the World Cup, the 28-year-old having missed the first three games of this season's Six Nations because of a hand injury.