England v Wales: Teams
England captain Steve Borthwick has called on his squad to "deliver" when they face Wales in their Six Nations opener.
Last Updated: 06/02/10 1:19pm
England captain Steve Borthwick has called on his squad to "deliver" when they face Wales in their RBS Six Nations opener on Saturday.
England boss Martin Johnson has named the most attacking line-up of his tenure - with Mathew Tait and Danny Care handed the licence to cut loose at Twickenham.
And after a much-criticised autumn campaign, Borthwick insists that the players must now start to fulfil their potential.
"We want to deliver," said Borthwick. "We have spoken as players about delivering the performance on the field, which is every one of us playing to the best of our abilities - and for 80 minutes.
"There have been times when we have been very competitive against the best teams in the world but we haven't maintained it for 80 minutes.
"We understand that. We all know that going out this weekend - and every weekend when you are playing for England - it is about delivering the best performances we can."
As well as the inclusion of Tait and Care, Johnson has also turned to the fit-again Delon Armitage for the full-back role that troubled England in the autumn. Toby Flood has also been called in to replace the injured Riki Flutey.
In the pack, Johnson has been forced to turn to an inexperienced front-row - with David Wilson, Dylan Hartley and Tim Payne having won just 33 caps between them, while the uncapped Dan Cole is on the bench.
However Borthwick and Simon Shaw will provide plenty of power and know-how in the second row, while Nick Easter returns at No.8 alongside Lewis Moody and James Haskell in the back-row.
Talent
Wales coach Warren Gatland has also opted to go on the offensive - with James Hook handed the chance at outside centre.
With Lee Byrne overturning his ban to start at full-back and Stephen Jones an immovable force in the No.10 jersey, Hook has been displaced into the centres.
But Gatland insists his combination with the powerful Jamie Roberts could be a match-winner.
"The thing with James and his ability and talent is trying to find somewhere on the field for him," said Gatland.
"We know what a job he can do at 10, particularly if the game loosens up a little bit. He can play 12, and he did a great job for us in the autumn at 15.
"He's just a talented footballer, and I am excited about the combination of James and Jamie Roberts, and what an attacking threat they could pose to England."
Gatland has suffered a series of injury blows with Lions trio Mike Phillips, Matthew Rees and Gethin Jenkins among those ruled out.
England: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Toby Flood, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 James Haskell, 5 Steve Borthwick (c), 4 Simon Shaw, 3 David Wilson, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Steve Thompson, 17 Dan Cole, 18 Louis Deacon, 19 Steffon Armitage, 20 Paul Hodgson, 21 Shontayne Hape, 22 Ben Foden.
Wales: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Tom James, 13 James Hook, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Gareth Cooper, 8 Ryan Jones (c), 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Andy Powell, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Gareth Williams, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Jonathan Thomas, 20 Richie Rees, 21 Andrew Bishop, 22 Leigh Halfpenny.