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Rugby Union

Balshaw and Easter enter England fray

05/02/2007

England head coach Brian Ashton has made two changes to the team that beat Scotland in preparation for Saturday's second Six Nations match against Italy.

Iain Balshaw, who missed the Calcutta Cup match because of injury, returns in place of newly capped full-back Olly Morgan and Nick Easter is set to win his first international cap in place of the injured Joe Worsley.

The Wasps blindside flanker was injured during England's 42-20 win over the Scots at Twickenham, meaning Easter, 28, is elevated to the starting XV for the first time.

Worsley's injury is not a significant one, however, and he is expected to be available for selection to face Ireland in just under three weeks' time.

Balshaw will need to prove in training this week that he has no ill-effects from the groin injury that ruled him out for the Scotland match. If he breaks down, Morgan will retain the number 15 jersey.

The only other change for the home side sees Bristol scrum-half Shaun Perry drafted in to the replacements instead of Peter Richards.

Unsurprisingly, Twickenham hero Jonny Wilkinson keeps his place at fly-half along with fellow half-back Harry Ellis, who impressed as much as the returning talisman on Saturday.

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