Forwards thinking for Johnson

England manager Martin Johnson has finalised a forwards-dominated bench for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy.

The uncapped Worcester loose-head prop Matt Mullan has been included in a five-strong forward contingent at the expense of Northampton full-back Ben Foden.

Mullan is joined by Bath prop David Wilson, Brive hooker Steve Thompson, Leicester lock Louis Deacon and London Irish flanker Steffon Armitage.

London Irish scrum-half Paul Hodgson and Leicester fly-half Toby Flood complete the bench.

Johnson’s selection is designed to counter the Italian pack, which is widely considered to be one of the most ferocious in world rugby.

England team to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations championship at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome on Sunday, February 14; kick-off 2.30pm:

D Armitage (London Irish); M Cueto (Sale Sharks), M Tait (Sale Sharks), R Flutey (Brive), U Monye (Harlequins); J Wilkinson (Toulon), D Care (Harlequins); T Payne (Wasps), D Hartley (Northampton), D Cole (Leicester), S Shaw (Wasps), S Borthwick (Saracens, capt), J Haskell (Stade Francais), L Moody (Leicester), N Easter (Harlequins).

Replacements: S Thompson (Brive), D Wilson (Bath), M Mullan (Worcester), L Deacon (Leicester), S Armitage (London Irish), P Hodgson (London Irish), T Flood (Leicester).