England’s Lancaster picks three debutants

Saracens centres Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt are set to make their England debuts against Scotland in the Six Nations Championship opener at Murrayfield tomorrow.

England interim coach Stuart Lancaster named three uncapped players in his starting side yesterday, with Phil Dowson selected at No.8 in an inexperienced team as the side look to rebuild after their poor performance at last year’s World Cup in New Zealand.

Farrell and Barritt are England’s first uncapped centre pairing since 2002 and first in the Six Nations since 1969, when John Spencer and David Duckham played in a 19-17 defeat away to Ireland.

Recalled fly-half Charlie Hodgson, who will be inside his Saracens team-mates, is the most experienced player in the starting side with 36 caps.

But Hodgson, back following the international retirement of England great Jonny Wilkinson and the absence through injury of Toby Flood, will be making his first Test start for four years.

Premiership champions Saracens provide four of England’s backs, with David Strettle on the left wing.

Seven of England’s starting XV go into the game with 10 caps or fewer, with Harlequins flanker Chris Robshaw captaining the team in only his second Test.

In all, there are eight uncapped players in the matchday 22, with Wasps hooker Rob Webber, Leicester lock Geoff Parling, Scarlets No.8 Ben Morgan, Northampton scrum-half Lee Dickson and Harlequins centre Jordan Turner-Hall all on the bench.

Scotland, who named their team earlier this week, have a huge advantage in experience over England with their starting line-up boasting 501 caps, compared to the 236 won by Lancaster’s men.