Seven players were capped for the first time in the Calcutta Cup win over Scotland and the same starting XV and bench will travel to Rome.

Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: "We have had a good week in spite of the weather and reflected on the game, reviewed and learnt from it and will look to improve the quality of our performance this week.

“We have decided to leave the starting team the same to allow them more time to gel together and we are expecting our bench to come on and make an impact as they did last week. Italy will be a very difficult challenge with nearly 700 caps in their starting line-up and it promises to be an outstanding occasion at the sold-out Stadio Olimpico.”

England
15 Ben Foden (Northampton Saints)
14 Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints)
13 Brad Barritt (Saracens)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens)
11 David Strettle (Saracens)
10 Charlie Hodgson (Saracens)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
1 Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)
2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
4 Mouritz Botha (Saracens)
5 Tom Palmer (Stade Francais)
6 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
7 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt)
8 Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)
Replacements
16 Rob Webber (London Wasps)*
17 Matt Stevens (Saracens)
18 Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)
19 Ben Morgan (Scarlets)
20 Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)
21 Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)
22 Mike Brown (Harlequins)

*Uncapped

Joe Simpson (London Wasps) and Joe Marler (Harlequins) will travel as reserves.

The Fijian-born centre took part in last weekend’s Hertz Sevens in Wellington seven days after the birth of his son Sela.

He’ll return to help his wife Pasimaca raise their three children after the Las Vegas tournament, in which England face Brazil, Scotland and Kenya in the pool stages on February 10 and 11.

“There were mixed emotions about leaving the family as we’ve got two young ones already under five but we’ve been in touch a lot on the phone and Skype,” said Damudamu

“In a way I can’t wait to get back and I know I’m going to be busy!”

Damu’s switch from forward to centre – where his creative skills and 6ft 5in frame can do maximum damage – has been one eye-catching part of England’s success in a season which has seen them take the Dubai title then reach semi finals in Port Elizabeth and Wellington.

Their last outing in the HSBC Sevens World Series saw them beat Samoa 21-12 in the third-place play-off following an agonising 17-12 semi final exit in sudden-death extra time at the hands of hosts New Zealand.

England are now third in the series rankings, nine points behind New Zealand, who they could meet again at the quarter final or semi final stage this weekend.

The made-for-TV format of the USA tournament sees the sides play two games per day on February 10, 11 and 12. England take on 2016 Olympic hosts Brazil (Friday 00.50 GMT) and Scotland (03.46) on day one, Kenya (Friday 20.28) and a potential quarter final (Saturday 00.52 or 01.26) on day two, before the final knock-out stages.

“We missed some opportunities and it didn’t go according to plan in sudden death but we played really well last week and I hope we can carry it forward this weekend,” said Damudamu.

“It’s my first time here and I’d heard a lot about Vegas, the bright lights and the casinos. We’re staying in Planet Hollywood which is right in the middle and is quite a busy place. It’s totally different to what I’m used to but I don’t want it to take away my focus for the weekend.

He added: “Brazil we’ve never played before, so how they’ll be you never know but if we play to our strengths it should be okay.

“Kenya are dark horses – last week they played pretty well [beating Australia and Scotland], many of their best guys are back and there’s pace throughout their team. Scotland are tough every time we play them, there’s a big rivalry and they seem to save their best for us.”

As well as those increased family commitments, Damudamu will return to work as a lance-corporal in the British Army, serving in the Port and Maritime Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps in Southampton.

England head coach Ben Ryan said: “We’ve got a close relationship with the British Army and it’s great that in the professional international game a team like England can still have military personnel involved – he’s a great ambassador for them and us.

“Damu’s been central to a lot of things we do in attack and defence, we’ve been working hard to make sure he’s fit and long may that continue. The move to centre and all the effort in the gym is paying off.”

Forwards  (13)
Mouritz Botha (Saracens)
Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Ben Morgan (Scarlets)
Tom Palmer (Stade Francais)
Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Matt Stevens (Saracens)
Rob Webber (London Wasps)

Backs (11)
Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints)
Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
Ben Foden (Northampton Saints)
Charlie Hodgson (Saracens)
Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
David Strettle (Saracens)
Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

The following players will return to their Aviva Premiership clubs this evening and be available for the weekend’s Aviva Premiership Round 14

Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)
Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby)
Calum Clark (Northampton Saints)
Karl Dickson (Harlequins)
Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers)
Lee Mears (Bath Rugby)
Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby)
Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers)

Dickson comes in as injury cover from the England Saxons Elite Player Squad  for younger brother Lee, who fractured a metacarpal in his left hand during Saturday’s Calcutta Cup win over Scotland and saw a specialist today following consultation between the England and Northampton Saints’ medical teams. 

Toby Flood, who played for Leicester Tigers against Newcastle Falcons in Saturday’s LV= Cup Round 4, returns to camp in place of  Saracens’ Alex Goode.

The squad meet up at Pennyhill Park tomorrow morning.

Staying at their clubs this week are Courtney Lawes (knee), Manusamoa Tuilagi (calf) and Tom Wood (foot).

Players attending England camp:

Forwards (18)
Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)
Mouritz Botha (Saracens)
Calum Clark (Northampton Saints)
Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Lee Mears (Bath Rugby)
Ben Morgan (Scarlets)
Tom Palmer (Stade Francais)
Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Matt Stevens (Saracens)
Rob Webber (London Wasps)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers)

Backs (14)
Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints)
Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby)
Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Karl Dickson (Harlequins)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
Ben Foden (Northampton Saints)
Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers)
Charlie Hodgson (Saracens)
Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby)
David Strettle (Saracens)
Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

On the back of England’s opening nine try, 47-0, victory against Scotland, England head to Italy in confident spirits. Lichfield Number 8 Sarah Hunter will skipper England with captain Katy McLean rested on the bench. There are also first Six Nations starts this season for Worcester’s Rochelle Clark, Darlington Mowden Park Sharks’ Tamara Taylor, Wasps’ La Toya Mason and Bristol’s Kim Oliver.

Hooker Amy Tuner and prop Laura Keates come off the bench to form a new front row partnership with Clark, whilst Ceri Large and Mason are the half backs for this match. Wing Georgina Roberts is also called off the bench to start alongside Kay Wilson whilst Lichfield’s Emily Scarratt moves to full back.

Street, whose side are gunning for a seventh consecutive title and another Grand Slam, said: “I am delighted to welcome back some of our more experienced players for our game against Italy. They will bring calmness and experience to our squad and help to take our performance up another level, whilst some of our younger players; Ceri Large, Laura Keates and Izzy Noel-Smith will have the chance to stake their claim for the shirt as they start.

“We had a good result against Scotland to kick start our campaign, but there is a lot to improve on, including our execution and I will be looking for the team to do that this weekend. Italy had a good second half against an on-form French side last weekend, conceding only one try in that period, so we are expecting an even tougher game this Sunday.”

England

15        Emily  Scarratt          (Lichfield)

14        Georgina       Roberts          (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

13        Rachael         Burford (VC)(Richmond)

12        Kimberley      Oliver  (Bristol)

11        Kay     Wilson            (Bristol)

10        Ceri     Large  (Worcester)

9          La Toya          Mason            (Wasps)

1          Rochelle        Clark   (Worcester)

2          Amy    Turner            (Richmond)

3          Laura  Keates            (Worcester)

4          Rowena         Burnfield       (Richmond)

5          Tamara           Taylor(Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

6          Isabelle          Noel-Smith    (Bristol)

7          Marlie Packer            (Bristol)

8          SarahHunter (C)     (Lichfield)

Replacements:                               

16        Victoria           Fleetwood     (Lichfield)

17        Claire             Purdy  (Wasps)

18        Emily  Braund           (Lichfield)

19        Hannah         Gallagher      (Saracens)

20        Georgina       Rozario          (Lichfield)

21        Katy    McLean          (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

22        Katherine      Merchant       (Worcester)

England’s Six Nations Fixtures:

February 5th 2012, Scotland v England, Lasswade, Edinburgh, WON 47-0

February 12th 2012, Italy v England, Parabiago, Nr Milan, KO 2pm GMT

February 25th, 2012, England v Wales, Twickenham Stadium, KO 615pm

Live on the BBC Red Button and on www.bbc.co.uk/sport. Free entry to the stadium after the men’s Six Nations match.

March 11th, 2012, France v England, Stade Charlety, Paris, KO 1245pm GMT

Live on Sky Sport HD2 Red Button.

March 17th 2012 England v Ireland, Esher RFC, KO 2pm.

Frank Halai’s try condemned them to a 17-12 reverse sending them into the play-off against Samoa.

Playmaker Christian Lewis-Pratt touched down twice – converting both his own tries – and Isoa Damudamu scored the clincher with Marcus Watson converting in a 21-12 win against the Islanders.

England climb one place to third in the overall HSBC Sevens World Series standings as a result, after picking up 17 points. They trail New Zealand – who beat Fiji 24-7 in the final – by nine heading into next weekend’s USA Sevens in Las Vegas, the fifth leg of the nine-event series.

“Our performances were really positive, we felt we and New Zealand were the best two teams and we’re so close now,” said head coach Ben Ryan.

“We’re at the stage now that when we don’t win a tournament  we feel disappointed. We’ve played New Zealand four times this season, won one and they’ve won three by a single score and that’s the difference between first place and third place.

“What was outstanding was the way we picked ourselves up for the third-place play-off and bounced back. It’s the first time we’ve won one having lost in Delhi [at the Commonwealth Games] and in Port Elizabeth.

“We now need a strong second week going to Las Vegas, we’ve got 12 guys fit and healthy and we’re ready to give it a good crack there.”

Earlier England had brushed aside Tonga 26-7 at the quarter final stage reach the last four.

Dan Norton, Mat Turner and captain Greg Barden all touched down in an impressive first half display – Christian Lewis-Pratt adding two conversions – and a second converted Turner try after the break put them out of sight with Daniel Kilioni scoring a last-minute consolation.

Then came a dramatic showdown with New Zealand in front of a sold-out Westpac Stadium crowd.

England dominated the first half with former Royal Marine Barden outflanking the cover for the first try and Chris Cracknell powering his way over for the second with Lewis-Pratt’s conversion putting them 12-0 up at the break.

Charles Piutau pulled one back mid-way through the second half before All Black Hosea Gear came off the bench to strike with the equalising score while James Rodwell was in the sin bin.

Both sides had chances in extra time before Halai – the leading try scorer in the series – sprinted 40 metres to win it.

HSBC Sevens World Series standings (top 8): 1 New Zealand 73, 2 Fiji 70, 3 England 64, 4 South Africa 61, 5 France 49, 6 Samoa 47, 7 Australia 45, 8 Wales 41.

The defending champions, gunning for a record seventh title, braved freezing cold conditions to dominate their Scottish rivals despite England fielding a relatively young looking side.

Wasps wing Staniford (pictured) was named Player of the Match as she touched down twice and also set-up Rowena Burnfield for her first-half score. Staniford, double try scorer Merchant and Burnfield were also joined on the score-sheet by Bristol’s Marlie Packer and Isabelle Noel-Smith and Lichfield duo Natasha Hunt  and Emily Scarratt.

England Head Coach Gary Street said: “This is a great result to start our Six Nations campaign off with. To be honest we didn’t execute the things we wanted to as well as we could so there is a lot of room for improvement and we will be looking to put that right for next Sunday against Italy.

“The conditions were tough tonight, but the players did well especially our youngsters who stood up and gave a really good account of themselves. Our players who came off the bench made a real impact and created opportunities so I will definitely have a selection headache ahead of next week’s game.”

Bristol’s flanker Packer helped settled England’s nerves early on with the first of England’s nine tries. Only four minutes had passed but in that period England had already piled the pressure on Scotland. Merchant and vice-captain Sarah Hunter had come close to scoring, but on a third attacking line-out just five metres out Scotland were penalised and England took a quick penalty and Packer took the ball on and scored. Skipper Katy McLean couldn’t make the conversion, a pattern that followed throughout the match in the blustery conditions, leaving the score at 5-0.

The missed conversion didn’t matter though with England soon taking a 10-0 lead. This time Rachael Burford, who had an impressive game at centre, burst through the midfield after the restart. Scarratt then took the ball on and chipped ahead, and as she was taken out, Staniford continued the chase to secure the ball and then touch down.

Try number two came Staniford’s way just before the half hour mark after Scarratt made a good break through a weak Scotland defence. Full-back Kay Wilson came close to scoring, but in the end it was Staniford who finished off another impressive move for the visitors.

With ten minutes remaining England ran in a further two tries. Packer made a fantastic break and Vicky Fleetwood was crucial in support before Staniford ran close to the try-line setting up lock Burnfield with a nice high pass to score. McLean converted. Merchant secured try number five, a score that started in England’s 22 with Scarratt providing the vital power and pace to offload to Merchant on the wing to make the score 27-0 at half-time.

The one way traffic continued after the restart with Merchant securing her second touchdown after just 49 minutes. Scrum-half Hunt then added to England’s tally with a 52nd minute score, when again Staniford came close, but couldn’t quite finish it off.

Flanker Harrier Millar-Mills, on just her second game for England, was at the heart of England’s eighth try, taking good ball from the back of the scrum to feed out to Burford. Burford executed a nice pass to Scarratt who then scored under the posts. Bristol’s Isabelle Noel-Smith then rounded off England’s evening with her first international try on 80 minutes to make the final score 47-0.

England

15        Kay     Wilson            (Bristol), 14    Katherine      Merchant       (Worcester), 13 Emily          Scarratt            (Lichfield), 12            Rachael         Burford           (Richmond), 11 Michaela   Staniford        (Wasps), 10        Katy    McLean          (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) (C), 9            Natasha         Hunt   (Lichfield), 1          Claire             Purdy(Wasps), 2 Victoria   Fleetwood     (Lichfield), 3  Sophie           Hemming            (Bristol), 4 Rowena  Burnfield       (Richmond), 5           Harriet            Millar-Mills (Lichfield), 6 Hannah         Gallagher      (Saracens), 7            MarliePacker            (Bristol), 8 Sarah Hunter     (Lichfield) (VC). Replacements: 16     Amy    Turner (Richmond), 17 Laura        Keates            (Worcester), 18            Emily  Braund           (Lichfield), 19 Isabelle Noel-Smith           (Bristol), 20    Georgina       Rozario            (Lichfield), 21            Ceri Large     (Worcester), 22         Georgina       Roberts          (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Tries: Packer, Staniford (2), Burnfield, Merchant (2), Hunt, Scarratt, Noel-Smith

Conversions: McLean

Penalties:

Drop Goals:

Replacements: Noel Smith for Hunter, Large for McLean, Braund for Gallagher (all 61 mins), Turner for Fleetwood, Rozario for Hunt, Roberts for Wilson, Keates for Hemming (all 68)

Scotland

15 Stephanie Johnston (RHC Cougars), 14 Katy Green (Murrayfield Wanderers), 13 Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers) (VC), 12 Lisa Martin (Murrayfield Wanderers), 11 Sarah Dixon (Stirling County), 10 Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars), 9 Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars), 1 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead/Jordanhill), 2 Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers), 3 Tracy Balmer (Worcester) (captain), 4 Anna Swan (RHC Cougars), 5 Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead/Jordanhill), 6 Charlotte Veale (London Wasps), 7 Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers), 8 Lindsay Wheeler (Richmond). Replacements: 16 Lindsey Smith (Darlington Mowden Park), 17 Suzanne McKerlie-Hex (Murrayfield Wanderers), 18 Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers), 19 Kath Muir (RAF), 20 Tess Forsberg (Richmond), 21 Lisa Ritchie (Carlisle), 22 Caroline Collie (OA Saints).

Referee:Sherry Trumbull

Assistant Referees: Mhairi Hay & Alex Pratt

England’s Six Nations Fixtures:

February 5th 2012, Scotland v England, Lasswade, Edinburgh, KO 5pm

February 12th 2012, Italy v England, Parabiago, Nr Milan, KO 3pm

February 25th, 2012, England v Wales, Twickenham Stadium, KO 615pm

Live on the BBC Red Button and on www.bbc.co.uk/sport. Free entry to the stadium after the men’s Six Nations match.

March 11th, 2012, France v England, Stade Charlety, Paris, KO 145pm

Live on Sky Sports 2HD Red Button

March 17th 2012 England v Ireland, Esher RFC, KO 2pm.

Live on www.rfu.com/englandwomenlive.com. Tickets can be purchased on game day on the gate or online at http://www.esherrugby.com/ticket_sales.html, priced £10 for adults, £5 for Under 16s.

No. No, it is not.

In fact, for most countries it’s not even a new dawn.

There always seems to be lots of predictions about this new player getting brought in or building a new team for the next 4 year cycle and what I’ve realised as the build-up for this tournament continues is that it’s a load of bollocks. International coaches have spent ages with their squad, honing it obsessively, to get it ready for the World Cup – they’re not going to chuck that away now that it’s been done. No, they’ll be seeing the season out with their teams if possible. The summer tours will be different, particularly as many senior players will be very tired and deserving a break, but right now this is a continuation of business. Even in England and Italy, the two countries with the most changes in their squad, the majority of the squad have been here before – albeit briefly.

So no new dawn.

Is it at least going to be a good tournament?

I wouldn’t put any large amounts of money on this being a classic of good rugby. Robinson is still picking Parks and Morrison, Italy still look short of distributors in the backs, Saint-Andre tends to play a fairly boring style of rugby, while Kidney is so bloody conservative he probably regards fire as a dangerous new innovation. That leaves Lancaster’s England and Wales. Lancaster says he wants a team that spreads the ball, but as he is relying on the frequently stodgy Saracens model to get this, I am very sceptical. It’s a bit like asking a vegetarian to butcher an animal really; technically plausible, and you know it’s been done before, but push comes to shove you know its unnatural for them. Wales played some very good stuff at the World Cup, but seemingly every Welsh peak is followed by a Welsh trough very quickly, plus their injury list looks fairly heavy.

There will be good games. The intensity and passion of the Six Nations is its main selling point anyway, not its technical prowess, and I do not see any shortage of that. Nor do I believe every team will play poor rugby simply because it’s highly unlikely I’ll be right about all of them. The majority of it though will be, I believe, fairly poor.

Is the Six Nations suffering in comparison with the Heineken Cup?

I think so, at least on the forums I use. It’s an unfair comparison really as the Heineken has six times as many games and is therefore always going to throw up more classics and genuinely exciting games. The Six Nations is still throwing up its share of classics – Scotland’s last minute loss to Wales springs to mind – and even when the standard isn’t as high in terms of flinging the ball around, you can always rely on there being a good number of very absorbing games. For intensity and drama, the Six Nations still has no superior. I’d rather watch a random Six Nations game than a random Heineken Cup game.

One thing where the Heineken Cup does have the Six Nations at present though is quality of rugby. Obviously club teams and provinces spend longer together, which does help. But I think that conceals the main reason which is the presence of some very conservative and ordinary coaching tickets, perhaps combined with a few too many players who do alright in European rugby but don’t have what is required for internationals. Therefore I live in hope that in a few years we might see coaches sending out teams who can really run the ball. Just not this year.

So, can Lancaster really turn England around?

I’m not particularly hopeful but am not ruling it out. It depends slightly on how he does it. The tools are certainly there for England to kick their way to victory and for all the talk of going wide, I really won’t be surprised if that’s what happens. A genuine jackal and harder-nosed wingers would have been nice for that approach though. The other is that Lancaster really is looking to put some width on the ball. If he can get this happening, given everything he’s had to work with, and turn attacking intent into wins, then he probably deserves the England job.

In his way though are two rather hefty obstacles. The first is the perennial English failing of quick ball. Now this pack is about as good as we can field to accomplish the task and although I’m not optimistic, I believe it can happen. The second and more difficult problem is fixing and breaking the Scottish line. This England team seems rather short of scary ball carriers in the pack. The backline will possess quite a few players who don’t offer much of a running threat, which might be Youngs’ route into the team. My main worry about England trying to move the ball is that Scotland will just drift us from one touchline to another, and I’m interested to see how Lancaster will deal with it.

Does Andy Robinson know what he’s doing?

For the past couple of years, Scotland have been doughty underdogs undone by a very serious failing, namely an inability to score tries. The reason for this failing was very obvious and I don’t think anyone blamed him too much when the likes of Parks and Morrison were genuinely the best options available, more or less. However, Edinburgh and Glasgow have been showing off some cracking attacking talent this season. Yes, a lot of them are raw youngsters, but they can score tries. Scotland went out in the World Cup because they could not put teams away when they were on top; tries are a large part of that.

Robinson’s team has Parks starting and Morrison on the bench.  Lamont at 12 is not a great improvement over Morrison in that while he’s quicker, that’s about it. A weakened England team at Murrayfield is practically the stuff of Scottish dreams and a win there would be the ideal platform in which to actually do well for once. There’s no reason this Scotland team can’t win some games, even with Paterson’s guaranteed three pointers gone, and if it doesn’t, I imagine there’ll  be loud questions over Robinson’s fitness for the job. On the other hand, a few wins (particularly against England) and Robinson will get the time to bed in the new players and create a Scotland that can genuinely score. Whatever happens, this is a big test of his coaching talents.

Are there any excuses for Declan Kidney if Ireland don’t enjoy a good Six Nations?

Having constructed a loaded question, I’ll fire off the round – no, no there aren’t.

Ireland’s three major provinces are collectively as strong as they have ever been. Confidence will be running high and a number of fringe players have been making strong cases for inclusion. He has an experienced squad, built by himself, with only minimal injury problems. France and England away is not ideal, but as both sides are somewhat in a position of flux, both are targetable. I don’t think there’s an international coach in the Northern Hemisphere in a better position to succeed.

Yet there is considerable doubt as to whether Ireland will do well. Ireland’s record over the past year has been substandard. It was Kidney’s decisions that have taken them there however, and it is Kidney’s decision to name virtually the same side as undertook most of last year. Just as it was presumably Kidney’s decision to let go of backs coach Alan Gaffney (a good decision) and then not appoint a new one (a questionable decision). He’s had a long time to think about where things went wrong last time, where the Irish attack got blunted so successfully by Wales. Irish rugby is riding high. Kidney has staked everything on the same group he’s always worked with. If this doesn’t work out, it’s hard to see why Kidney should be given another chance to give them another chance.

Are Wales really as good as people say?

We British love a gallant loser. Wales were very gallant at the World Cup but unfortunately, also very much the loser. They might argue they didn’t get the rub of the green, they might dream about what had happened had Hook’s kicks gone over. Nevertheless, they lost the majority of their games against top opposition. However, Wales won’t have to beat Australia or South Africa to win the Six Nations. Surely if the improvement there is as good as people say, then Wales have to be favourites.

Now this is a question that mightn’t get fully answered. Wales have appalling depth and a number of key men struggling to regain fitness. No Priestland and Roberts would be the biggest blow to Wales I think; they should be back fairly soon even if they miss the first game, and I hope they go well as they have potential Lions 10-12 written all over them, but nothing is certain. Even if they are lining out, there is no way a Welsh pack minus Rees, Jenkins, Jones the lock and Charteris can be called full strength. In particular I think they’ll miss Jenkins and Charteris’ work in the loose. The Guardian has suggested that the intensity of Wales’ pre-season in Poland has left them incredibly unfit; if this is true, expect a lot more broken players by the end of the Six Nations. This will make it even more difficult to work out if they’re up to the hype. Injuries however are part and parcel of the modern game. The inability to ride a few is in itself a black mark against a team. If Wales truly are the coming force some of their fans state, it’s time for them to show it.

Will Italy start actually scaring people?

On previous evidence, Italy are as scary as finding out you accidentally put a bottle of foul tasting diet red bull into your supermarket trolley instead of non-diet; irritating and worth watching out for, but not worth worrying about at all in the grand scheme of things. This paragraph is in no way influenced by realising I made that very mistake and wondering why it tasted worse than usual until I read the label. France had a similarly bad experience last year, but I think they’ll be as bothered by me. Essentially Italy will not get anywhere until they start repeating that sort of feat year in year out. The rugby gods have been kind to Italy – a shaky England and Scotland at home. There’s two victories there if they can take them.

Can they though? The Italian pack is heralded, but it’s the same beast that never quite does enough year in year out. It won’t lose them any games but neither will it win anyway and in my opinion the locks need replacing, if it was possible. Some quality strike runners are coming through to supplement what was already there and I’m looking forwards to watching how Benevuti goes at 13. However, the big question lies over their distributors, the 9-10-12 link. If that functions, I think Italy are on a definite upswing. The big decider there is their new coach. I can’t say I know much about Brunel, except I’m sure he played bass in the Stranglers, but it will be up to him to coax out what skills are there. Sgarbi seems to be a step in the right direction but there is a fair possibility I’m talking out of my arse here. Whatever happens though, if Italy are to rise, they need to do so quickly. Most of the home nations have been rather in the doldrums lately but it must be too much to hope so from Italy’s point of view that they’ll stay that way for a prolonged period. Italy can’t afford to be left behind when the upswing comes. That might be another few seasons, but the best way to keep up is to improve now.

Does anyone have a clue how France are going to go?

No.

…

Ok, fine. France have a new coach and a deserved reputation for inconsistency. A number of their players have put in impressive domestic performances but have either not played at, or been inconsistent at, international level. They do have a lot of talent and three games, so it seems to be pointing their way, but no one can truthfully say. Insightful I know, but I’m not Nostradamus.

What are Social Pundit’s predictions?

Predictions are a loser’s game, particularly when no one knows what to expect. How, I’d be wussing out if I wasn’t to have a stab of sorts, so I’ll predict the first round and then see what happens before doing anymore.

France will beat Italy. That’s a given. I think France will beat Italy quite handily. It’ll take them a while to bring down the resistance, but I think the French will be up for it and pile them on once the breakthrough comes

I’m backing England to beat Scotland, possibly because I couldn’t bear to predict otherwise. I think there’ll be a desultory period in which both sides pretend they can play rugby but the game will become more and more kick based, at which point us having Farrell and them not having Paterson will prove crucial. At which point the media will fawn disgracefully over Farrell and ignore the fact that if he could run maybe we wouldn’t have needed his boot so much. I’d really love Farrell to remember his running game. That would be great.

If Roberts and Priestland were fit (I’m assuming they won’t be), I’d be very uncertain, but I reckon Irish home advantage will tell in the last match. Everyone seems to forget how much territory and possession Ireland had in that quarter-final. Kidney’s had a long time to brood on how to change things and usually gets a result when under pressure. So Ireland to win. If Wales get to repeat smashing Roberts off good ball into D’Arcy, with a good kicker in the team, I will recant that though.

Whatever happens, I can’t wait  - flawed or not.

Saracens Brad Barritt and Owen Farrell will form a new centre pairing at international level, while Northampton Saints’ Phil Dowson makes his debut at No 8.

The match 22 sees five more uncapped players on the replacements’ bench  – Rob Webber (London Wasps), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Ben Morgan (Scarlets), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints) and Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins).

Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “We have been impressed with how the whole group has come together in the last 10 days and we have done a lot of work on and off the field. 

“Now is the time to turn all that into a performance against Scotland that we can all be proud of. It is a massive challenge – Murrayfield, the first game of the Six Nations – but one we are relishing.”

England

15 Ben Foden (Northampton Saints)
14 Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints)
13 Brad Barritt (Saracens)*
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens)*
11 David Strettle (Saracens)
10 Charlie Hodgson  (Saracens)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
1 Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)
2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
4 Mouritz Botha  (Saracens)
5 Tom Palmer (Stade Francais)
6 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
7 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt)
8 Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)*
Replacements
16 Rob Webber (London Wasps)*
17 Matt Stevens (Saracens)
18 Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)*
19 Ben Morgan (Scarlets)*
20 Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)*
21 Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)*
22 Mike Brown (Harlequins)

*Uncapped

Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby) and Joe Marler (Harlequins) will travel as reserves

England take on Scotland at Lasswade RFC on Sunday, 5pm kick off, and as defending Grand Slam champions gunning for a record breaking seventh consecutive crown, England are going into the tournament as favourites.

But McLean, who will start at fly-half on Sunday, is expecting this tournament to be tougher than ever with all their Six Nations rivals determined to knock England off their perch, especially after her side’s recent victory over world champions New Zealand.

“I am often asked how do we motivate ourselves for this tournament given we have won the Six Nations for the last six years, but I genuinely believe this is going to be our toughest Six Nations in a long time and that we are going to have to be at our best to retain our title, so to be honest it’s not difficult.

“We have got some big games coming up and France, only in November, defeated us twice in an uncapped and a full on international test match. There is no way they are going to want to hand us back a win, especially on their turf. We will also play Wales at Twickenham Stadium and matches between us are always fiercely competitive so I am sure they’ll be determined to put one over us on our stage.”

England Head Coach Gary Street has named a young looking side for Sunday’s game with eight players in the 22 set to taste Six Nations rugby for the first time. Uncapped lock Emily Braund is on the bench, while Lichfield’s Harriet Millar-Mills, Saracens’ Hannah Gallagher, Bristol’s Isabelle Noel-Smith and Worcester’s Ceri Large will be looking to build on their handful of international caps.

McLean added: “We have got some young players making their first ever Six Nations start and, I remember as a player, that that is a massive thing. As captain I hope I can give them the support they need but I also know that these players, although they may not have many caps, completely deserve their place in the 22 as they are definitely some of England’s best players of the moment.

“We also have experience too and I know as a squad we are in a good position. We have been lucky that we have played a lot of good competitive rugby coming into this campaign where as some of our opponents have not. Certainly beating the world champions has given this team a real boost and we hope to continue to raise the bar going into this championship.

“Scotland is unquestionably going to be a tough game. Last year we put a lot of points on them, but this one is on their turf, it’s late on a Sunday evening and I doubt the conditions are going to be particularly kind to us.  We will have to go to Edinburgh and give it everything we’ve got. I can’t wait to get started again and I know my fellow team mates feel exactly the same.”

England

15        Kay     Wilson            (Bristol)

14        Katherine      Merchant       (Worcester)

13        Emily  Scarratt          (Lichfield)

12        Rachael         Burford           (Richmond)

11        Michaela        Staniford        (Wasps)

10        Katy    McLean          (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) (C)

9          Natasha         Hunt   (Lichfield)

1          Claire             Purdy(Wasps)

2          Victoria           Fleetwood     (Lichfield)

3          Sophie           Hemming       (Bristol)

4          Rowena         Burnfield       (Richmond)

5          Harriet            Millar-Mills     (Lichfield)

6          Hannah         Gallagher      (Saracens)

7          Marlie Packer            (Bristol)

8          SarahHunter            (Lichfield) (VC)

Replacements:                

16        Amy    Turner (Richmond)

17        Laura  Keates            (Worcester)

18        Emily  Braund           (Lichfield)

19        Isabelle          Noel-Smith    (Bristol)

20        Georgina       Rozario          (Lichfield)

21        Ceri     Large  (Worcester)

22        Georgina       Roberts          (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)