Flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson, who has not played for England since drop-kicking the winning goal in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, was selected on Monday for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup match against Scotland at Twickenham.
Wilkinson has been sidelined by a succession of unrelated injuries but made an immediate impression after taking the field for Newcastle against Leicester on Saturday a minute before the break.
He has been rewarded with a starting place by new England coach Brian Ashton for the opening round of the Six Nations championship.
Former Britain rugby league captain Andy Farrell was named to play at inside centre alongside Mike Tindall.
Jason Robinson, another rugby league convert who also played in the World Cup win over Australia, returns on the left wing after temporarily retiring from international rugby. — Reuters
England: 15-Iain Balshaw; 14-Josh Lewsey, 13-Mike Tindall, 12-Andy Farrell, 11-Jason Robinson; 10-Jonny Wilkinson, 9-Harry Ellis; 8-Martin Corry, 7-Magnus Lund, 6-Joe Worsley, 4-Louis Deacon, 5-Danny Grewcock, 3-Phil Vickery (captain), 2-George Chuter, 1-Perry Freshwater.
Replacements: 16-Lee Mears, 17-Julian White, 18-Tom Palmer 19-Lewis Moody, 20-Peter Richards, 21-Toby Flood, 22-Mathew Tait