Scotland keep faith with Southwell

Chris Roberts

The versatile Edinburgh player had a nightmare at full-back in the thrashing at the hands of South Africa during the autumn.

But Williams has kept faith with the 24-year-old, who will win his eighth cap, and paired him with Andy Craig for the daunting clash.

Williams said: "We made it pretty clear that the area we needed to work on was attack and going forward with ball in hand.

"That obviously has a fair amount to do with the centres and Craig had a difficult period coming back from injury and we've been monitoring him.

"He didn't have enough games under his belt to take his place during the autumn international so he's earned his opportunity."

The Australian has been hit by injuries and he made five changes two positional from the side which the Springboks easily swept aside.

Chris Paterson has reverted to full-back after his stint on the wing in place of Southwell.

Elsewhere, England fly-half Charlie Hodgson is braced for anything and everything in the Millennium Stadium pressure cooker on Saturday even opposition sledging.

Hodgson experienced some trademark Australian chat when the Wallabies triumphed 21-19 at Twickenham earlier this season.

"I hadn't experienced that before. That is one thing I can take out of the Australia game, and be prepared for sledging in a pressure environment."

In preparing for the Six Nations, there has even been some mock sledging at England training.

"It's not everyone sledging me, just a few people who are around in training kicking at the same time," Hodgson said.

"If they get a chance to give me a few words, or just throw a ball in the line of sight, anything to try to put you off, it's good practice."

Newcastle centres Mathew Tait and Jamie Noon both make their Six Nations debuts, as does Hodgson's Sale colleague Mark Cueto, with World Cup scrum-half Matt Dawson returning after missing the autumn Tests.

"If you look at the players within our back-line, you would be stupid not to use them. The sort of strength and pace you have got in the centres, and the same again for the people out wide, Jason (Robinson), Mark (Cueto) and Josh (Lewsey). If you get them the ball in a bit of space, then I am sure they can do some damage."

For his part, Wales' Martyn Williams hopes to celebrate winning his 50th cap on Saturday by achieving another career landmark beating England.

Lions flanker Williams has been on the receiving end of some thumping defeats against Wales' traditional rugby enemy, and is well aware that England have not lost in Cardiff since an opportunist Ieuan Evans try ambushed them 12 years ago.

"On Monday of last week, they told me I would probably miss the first two games of the Six Nations," said Williams.

"Colin was injured as well, and I thought it would be just my luck that I would be out, too.

"It has been a bit of rollercoaster, because on Thursday and Friday of last week, they said I could be fit, and luckily I've come through."