Grayson lands number 10 berth

Paul Grayson has been handed the task of replacing World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson in England’s RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Italy.

Grayson, 32, steps into the fly-half position vacated by Wilkinson who will undergo shoulder surgery later this week.

England head coach Clive Woodward has also switched World Cup final try-scorer Jason Robinson from wing to centre on Sunday, with Bath’s Iain Balshaw brought in at full-back instead of Josh Lewsey who features on the wing with Ben Cohen.

Gloucester scrum-half Andy Gomarsall has beaten off Matt Dawson’s challenge - while in the pack, there are starts for lock Danny Grewcock and flanker Joe Worsley.

On the bench, uncapped Sale Sharks forward Chris Jones features – as does Bath fly-half Olly Barkley and Gloucester’s former rugby league star Henry Paul.

Paul’s solitary England cap came against France in Paris almost two years ago.

England (v Italy): I Balshaw; J Lewsey, W Greenwood, J Robinson, B Cohen; P Grayson, A Gomarsall; T Woodman, S Thompson, P Vickery, D Grewcock, B Kay, J Worsley, R Hill, L Dallaglio (captain).

Replacements: M Regan, J Leonard, S Borthwick, C Jones, M Dawson, O Barkley, H Paul.