Rugby | Six Nations

Lee Dickson © Gallo Images

Dickson starts, Farrell at flyhalf for England



Lee Dickson, Ben Morgan and Geoff Parling will make their first England starts against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday while Owen Farrell switches to flyhalf in place of the injured Charlie Hodgson.

An finger problem for Hodgson has given England caretaker coach Stuart Lancaster an opportunity to pair inexperienced but exciting duo Dickson and Farrell at halfback while also trying a balanced centre partnership of Brad Barritt and Manu Tuilagi.

Flyhalf Toby Flood and lock Courtney Lawes, yet to feature in the tournament because of injury, were also named among the replacements.

Scrumhalf Dickson injected some real fizz from the bench in the laboured but important opening away wins over Scotland and Italy, Morgan provided rare forward momentum from No 8 while Parling also brought some stability to a wobbly lineout.

Ben Youngs, who has looked ponderous at times from scrumhalf, and No 8 Phil Dowson drop to the bench but lock Tom Palmer misses out on the 22.

Hodgson, who scored England's two tries in their first two games following chargedowns, had been expected to retain his place, despite the availability of Flood.

However, his injury gave Lancaster an easy way to plump for a fresh-looking line-up many fans would like to see in the wake of some flat attacking efforts so far.

Farrell, who often interchanges with Hodgson at flyhalf for their club Saracens, should slot in comfortably in the playmaker role and will retain the kicking duties, which he has carried out well in his first two international games.

Tough-tackling Barritt had shown little in attack in the first two matches but retained his slot on the back of his superb defence.

While hardly a slippery ball-playing 12, his move to inside centre allows the return of Samoa-born Tuilagi, the one player in the England squad in recent years who has shown a consistent ability to break the line.

Tuilagi makes his first appearance since the World Cup quarterfinal defeat by France.

"We are looking forward to seeing how Brad and Manu gel together in the centre," said Lancaster.

"Charlie cut his finger in training earlier in the week and needed stitches but it swelled up and there is a sprain there.

"We assessed him this morning and he cannot grip fully. Owen has trained throughout and knows our patterns and plays so we are fully confident in his ability to run the game from 10.

"It's been a good start with two wins but we've got real competition for places and Lee, Ben and Geoff deserve an opportunity to start this game.

"It means that Phil and Ben will provide a different role from the bench and it's great to have Courtney and Toby, who can also give us options in what I am sure will be a full-on encounter.

"It's our first home game of the Six Nations which we are really excited about and we are sure the crowd will get behind us just as the travelling supporters have done in Scotland and Italy. Playing at Twickenham makes it extra special for us."

Wales, who beat Ireland and Scotland in their first two matches, are seeking their 20th triple crown but the first to be secured at Twickenham, where they have won only once in 13 games spanning 22 years.

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