Test debuts for England duo

Leeds’ full-back Dan Scarbrough and Wasps’ centre Stuart Abbott will make their Test debuts when England’s World Cup warm-up campaign begins against Wales in Cardiff next Saturday.

Bradford-born Scarbrough has been knocking on England’s first team door for a while, having impressed on England A duties.

And Abbott, 25, who was born in South Africa but has an English mother, is rewarded following some superb performances when Wasps won the Zurich Premiership title last season.

He also featured in England’s tour victory against New Zealand Maori on June 9. His centre colleague that day was Newcastle’s Jamie Noon, and they will renew their midfield partnership at the Millennium Stadium.

Fly-half Alex King, Abbott’s Wasps team-mate, starts an international for the first time following four substitute appearances between 1997 and 2001.

And King’s half-back partner will be Andy Gomarsall, who gets an immediate chance to press his World Cup claims, amid fierce competition from Matt Dawson, Kyran Bracken and Austin Healey.

Prop Jason Leonard, holder of an England record 103 caps, will captain a side containing no survivors from the starting XV that defeated Australia 25-14 in Melbourne two months ago.