Six Nations: Haskell and Palmer make England starting XV, but Wilkinson on bench
03 February 2011
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England starter: James Haskell
Photo: Michael Paler
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Stade Francais duo James Haskell and Tom Palmer have both been named in England's starting XV for Friday night's Cardiff clash with Wales.
But there was no place for Toulon fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, with England manager Martin Johnson preferring Leicester's Toby Flood for the RBS Six Nations opener.
Haskell usually plays blind-side flanker but has been recalled to the starting line-up in place of injured skipper Lewis Moody at open-side.
Palmer, who this week admitted he was contemplating a contract extension at Stade Francais, continues his run of starts in the second row and will lead the England lineout.
Johnson has named veteran centre Mike Tindall as captain against Wales, with Northampton flanker Tom Wood also earning an international debut due to Hendre Fourie's injury.
Wilkinson is on the bench after missing the Autumn internationals due to injury - replacing Charlie Hodgson - but is sure to feature at some stage.
Johnson admitted that Haskell's inclusion offered England "something different" to Moody, with the Stade Francais player renowned for his carrying ability. "All the back-row guys are slightly different and I think we've got a good combination," added the England manager.
He also said the decision to name Tindall as captain ahead of Nick Easter - who did the job during November - was a straightforward one. "Mike would have captained wherever we played, home or away. Nick Easter will have a big job leading the forwards, giving us a lot of direction there," he told the BBC.
"Mike's a good captain, he's hugely experienced and if he's not there we've got Nick, and Louis Deacon has had a really good week as well. It is good to have him back fit and firing," said Johnson.
Wales have named France-bound James Hook at full-back, with Stephen Jones at fly-half and 22-year-old Jonathan Davies partnering Jamie Roberts in the centres.
Full-back Lee Byrne, who signed for Clermont Auvergne this week, has to make do with a place on the subs bench.
| Wales |
|
|
England |
|
| Player |
Club |
Pos |
Player |
Club |
| James Hook |
Ospreys |
15 |
Ben Foden |
Northampton Saints |
| Morgan Stoddart |
Scarlets |
14 |
Chris Ashton |
Northampton Saints |
| Jamie Roberts |
Cardiff Blues |
13 |
Mike Tindall (capt) |
Gloucester |
| Jonathan Davies |
Scarlets |
12 |
Shontayne Hape |
Bath |
| Shane Williams |
Ospreys |
11 |
Mark Cueto |
Sale Sharks |
| Stephen Jones |
Scarlets |
10 |
Toby Flood |
Leicester Tigers |
| Mike Phillips |
Ospreys |
9 |
Ben Youngs |
Leicester Tigers |
| Andy Powell |
London Wasps |
8 |
Nick Easter |
Harlequins |
| Sam Warburton |
Cardiff Blues |
7 |
James Haskell |
Stade Francais |
| Dan Lydiate |
Newport GD |
6 |
Tom Wood |
Northampton Saints |
| Alun-Wyn Jones |
Ospreys |
5 |
Tom Palmer |
Stade Francais |
| Bradley Davies |
Cardiff Blues |
4 |
Louis Deacon |
Leicester Tigers |
| Craig Mitchell |
Ospreys |
3 |
Dan Cole |
Leicester Tigers |
| Matthew Rees (capt) |
Scarlets |
2 |
Dylan Hartley |
Northampton Saints |
| Paul James |
Ospreys |
1 |
Andrew Sheridan |
Sale Sharks |
| Replacements |
|
|
|
|
| Richard Hibbard |
Ospreys |
16 |
Steve Thompson |
Leeds Carnegie |
| John Yapp |
Cardiff Blues |
17 |
Dan Wilson |
Bath |
| Ryan Jones |
Ospreys |
18 |
Simon Shaw |
London Wasps |
| Jonathan Thomas |
Ospreys |
19 |
Joe Worsley |
London Wasps |
| Dwayne Peel |
Sale Sharks |
20 |
Danny Care |
Harlequins |
| Rhys Priestland |
Scarlets |
21 |
Jonny Wilkinson |
Toulon |
| Lee Byrne |
Ospreys |
22 |
Matt Banahan |
Bath |
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Date: Friday, February 4th 2011
KO: 20.45
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