Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care has won back his place in England's starting line-up ahead of their opening Six Nations clash with Wales at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday (5pm).

He replaces former Sutton & Epsom man Paul Hodgson at number nine in one of six changes by Martin Johnson.

Clubmate Nick Easter returns to number eight, London Irish's Delon Armitage is back at full-back and Riki Flutey of CA Brive resumes at inside centre.

All three were injured for the Investec Challenge Series last November.

Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks), who turns on Saturday, forms a new centre pairing with Flutey, and David Wilson (Bath Rugby) returns at tight-head.

Another Quins player, Ugo Monye, has been named in his customary wing position.

ENGLAND TEAM

15 Delon Armitage (London Irish) 14 Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks) 13 Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks) 12 Riki Flutey (CA Brive) 11 Ugo Monye (Harlequins) 10 Jonny Wilkinson (RC Toulon) 9 Danny Care (Harlequins) 1 Tim Payne (London Wasps) 2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) 3 David Wilson (Bath Rugby) 4 Simon Shaw (London Wasps) 5 Steve Borthwick (Saracens, captain) 6 James Haskell (Stade Francais) 7 Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers) 8 Nick Easter (Harlequins)

Replacements

16 Steve Thompson (CA Brive) 17 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) 18 Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers) 19 Steffon Armitage (London Irish) 20 Paul Hodgson (London Irish) 21 Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers) 22 Ben Foden (Northampton Saints)