England make five changes for Scotland clash

England boss Clive Woodward has made five changes to his starting line-up for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against…

England boss Clive Woodward has made five changes to his starting line-up for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Scotland at Twickenham.

Lions quintet Martin Johnson, Jason Robinson, Ben Cohen, Jason Leonard and Neil Back all return after missing the 40-5 victory over Italy nine days ago through injury.

Johnson replaces Bath captain Danny Grewcock in the second row and, as expected, reclaims the captaincy from fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.

Robinson, meanwhile, will be on the wing - his first start there in an England jersey for 17 months - with Josh Lewsey retained at full-back following his superb two-try display against Italy.

READ MORE

With Cohen fit again following a thigh strain, Dan Luger and James Simpson-Daniel - Woodward's wings in the Italy game - drop out.

Leonard, who suffered a hamstring injury while winning his 100th cap against France last month, returns instead of Robbie Morris at tighthead prop, and Back reclaims the openside flanker's role, so Richard Hill reverts to blindside and there is no place for Joe Worsley.

There are several changes on the bench, including a place for Northampton fly-half Paul Grayson, who won the last of his 23 caps during World Cup `99, while Andy Gomarsall is preferred to Kyran Bracken as scrum-half cover.

Woodward has also announced that talented Newcastle back Jamie Noon and Wasps lock Simon Shaw will train with the England squad this week, but will not be made available for the A game.

"I am delighted to welcome back Martin Johnson, Neil Back, Jason Leonard, Jason Robinson and Ben Cohen to the starting line-up," said Woodward.

"They've all made excellent progress from their injuries, and it's a compliment to the England and club medical teams working in partnership, that they have made a full recovery so quickly.

"Their return to the team meant that I had to make some tough calls, as all of the players against Italy played well against a very determined Italian side.

"Dan Luger, Joe Worsley and Danny Grewcock move on to the bench, which underlines the strong competition all the players face, but I am sure that they will continue pushing for places in the starting line-up.

"I am delighted that Josh Lewsey has retained his place at full-back," added Woodward.

"Jason Robinson has been outstanding, but Josh took his opportunity very well against Italy, and I am sure that he will want to take that form through to Scotland."

England are chasing their fourth successive victory in this season's championship, having seen off Italy, Wales and France.

J Lewsey (Wasps); J Robinson (Sale Sharks), W Greenwood (Harlequins), M Tindall (Bath), B Cohen (Northampton); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), M Dawson (Northampton); G Rowntree (Leicester), S Thompson (Northampton), J Leonard (Harlequins), M Johnson (Leicester, capt), B Kay (Leicester), R Hill (Saracens), N Back (Leicester), L Dallaglio (Wasps).

Replacements:M Regan (Leeds), T Woodman (Gloucester), D Grewcock (Bath), J Worsley (Wasps), A Gomarsall (Gloucester), P Grayson (Northampton), D Luger(Harlequins).