LONDON – England coach Stuart Lancaster has unveiled a new midfield pairing with Luther Burrell and Jonathan Joseph named to start against Wales in Cardiff on Friday.
The combination are the only changes in the England back-line from the team that defeated England in the Autumn Internationals with Ben Youngs, George Ford, Jonny May, Anthony Watson and Mike Brown resuming from where they left off from Twickenham in November.
As for up front, there are four changes from the pack which tore apart the Wallabies with Dan Cole starting at tighthead in place of David Wilson who will miss the match through injury. Lock George Kruis and flank James Haskell replace Northampton duo Tom Wood and Courtney Lawes and Billy Vunipola comes into the side in place of the injured Ben Morgan.
With the 6 Nations opener against Wales marking the start of a Rugby World Cup year, Lancaster will be eager to get a look at some new combinations as well as some players who are capable of making the transition to the cauldron that is test rugby.