SIX NATIONS: Joe Worsley will make his first start for England since the group stages of the 2007 World Cup after being selected at open-side flanker for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations game against Wales.
Worsley replaces Steffon Armitage, who made his international debut in last Saturday’s 36-11 win over Italy but has now dropped out of the match squad altogether.
In England’s only other change to face the defending Six Nations champions, Mike Tindall has recovered from a back injury to take the place of Jamie Noon at outside centre.
Worsley, predominantly a blind-side flanker by trade, has been pressed into action in the number seven jersey after England lost Tom Rees, Lewis Moody and Michael Lipman to injury, while Armitage struggled with the rigours of Test rugby on his debut last weekend.
Worsley played for England at open-side in the World Cup warm-up internationals against Wales and France in the summer of 2007.
Arguably his most famous performance in the position was for Wasps against Martin Johnson’s Leicester in the 2005 Guinness Premiership final on the eve of the Lions tour, when he out-played the retiring Neil Back.
Once again there is no place in England’s squad for Danny Cipriani, who was left out by Johnson last week on the premise he needed game time but was then denied a chance to impress when the England Saxons match against Ireland A was postponed due to the weather.
Armitage is joined out of the squad by Ben Foden, who made a lively debut off the bench against Italy, and Shane Geraghty.
Toby Flood takes over from Geraghty after recovering from a calf injury while Paul Hodgson provides the scrum-half cover.
Worsley, who started at openside against Samoa on his last appearance in England’s starting XV, was left out of Johnson’s elite squad for the Six Nations.
But he was called in as an injury replacement, after England lost their first three openside flankers to injury, and appeared off the bench in the second half against Italy.
Johnson said: “Joe has been playing very well. He is a very experienced player, a big tackler and a big carrier. His form has been great all year, and we thought it was the right game for him to come and play.
“It was a tough call. Steffon played there last week. He has taken his first step in international rugby and he has a bright future.
“But we think Joe is the right guy for what we want to do.”
Tindall returns to the side in place of Jamie Noon, after withdrawing on the eve of the Italy game with a back injury suffered in the gym.
“It is nice to have him back and we hope he will last until Saturday!” said Johnson.
England’s performance against Italy was criticised as being some way below those produced by Ireland in their victory over France and Wales in Scotland.
Johnson added: “The tempo of those games was pretty high. We were frustrated we got bogged down a bit. But there are reasons for that, the mistakes we made and the opposition we are up against.
“We won the last game, and I would like to keep our fortunes heading in the same direction. We need to build confidence and momentum.
“We know as a squad we can play better than we did last week. It is about improving.
“I am looking forward to going away from home, and the pressure and intensity will be a big test for our team.
“The Welsh enjoy having a successful rugby team, and they are playing some attractive rugby - so it will be double difficult.
“We don’t have that much expectation and we need to go there and fight. We can also play but we need to battle to keep the crown quiet.”
England team (v Wales)
D Armitage (London Irish); Sackey (Wasps), Tindall (Gloucester), Flutey (Wasps), Cueto (Sale); Goode (Brive), Ellis (Leicester); Sheridan (Sale), Mears (Bath), Vickery (Wasps), Borthwick (Saracens, capt), Kennedy (London Irish), Haskell (Wasps), Worsley (Wasps), Easter (Harlequins).
Replacements: Hartley (Northampton), White (Leicester), Croft (Leicester), Narraway (Gloucester), Hodgson (London Irish), Flood (Leicester), Tait (Sale).
