Haskell England debut against Wales

WASPS forward James Haskell will make his England debut in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

The 21-year-old will start at blindside flanker, with Joe Worsley switching to number eight after Nick Easter withdrew through injury.

Fly-half David Skrela has been ruled out of France’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Scotland tomorrow.

The Stade Francais number 10 has failed to recover from the tibia injury he sustained during the 26-18 defeat to England last weekend.

His place in the Les Bleus team to face the Scots goes to 21-year-old Lionel Beauxis, who has been understudy to Skrela in France’s opening four games.

“I would have loved to be 100% and to be able to play in this match,” said Skrela.

“But the pain in my tibia prevents me from feeling at comfort. I prefer to relinquish my place and I am very happy for Lionel, who is going to be able to start his first match in this Six Nations tournament.”

With Beauxis making the step-up to the starting XV, Damien Traille will be the replacement fly-half.

Scotland captain Chris Paterson is sick of making apologies and claims he has a “funny feeling” his bulked-up side will upset the odds against France.

The Scots produced a shock by defeating France at Murrayfield last year, but they have not won in Paris since 1999. However Paterson believes that could change tomorrow.

“I’m really excited about this weekend and sometimes you get a funny feeling about games,” he said. “The whole team are looking forward to playing in a brilliant stadium — and there is a burning desire in the camp to put in a big performance.

WALES: K Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons); M Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), G Thomas (Toulouse, capt), S Williams (Ospreys); J Hook (Ospreys), D Peel (Llanelli Scarlets); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), M Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), C Horsman (Worcester), I Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons), A Wyn Jones (Ospreys), A Popham (Llanelli Scarlets), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Jones (Ospreys).

ENGLAND: M Cueto (Sale Sharks); D Strettle (Harlequins), M Tait (Newcastle), M Catt (London Irish, capt), J Robinson (Sale Sharks); T Flood (Newcastle), H Ellis (Leicester); T Payne (Wasps), G Chuter (Leicester), J White (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester), T Palmer (Wasps), J Haskell (Wasps), T Rees (Wasps), J Worsley (Wasps).

Referee: A Rolland (Ireland).