Hape handed England bow

Bath centre Shontayne Hape will make his England Test debut in Saturday’s Cook Cup clash with Australia at the Subiaco Oval in Perth.

Hape takes over at inside centre from the injured Riki Flutey and he is one of four changes from the England team that started the final Six Nations game against France.

Hooker Steve Thompson and lock Tom Palmer both start after coming off the bench in Paris while there is a return to the England team for Leicester flanker Tom Croft.

Much to the surprise of the Wallabies, Jonny Wilkinson remains on the bench with Toby Flood retained at fly-half while Danny Care has held off the challenge from scrum-half rival Ben Youngs.

Leicester hooker George Chuter and Northampton lock Courtney Lawes have both been included on the bench.

England are chasing their first victory over the Wallabies on Australian soil since the 2003 World Cup final – and only their third ever.

Hape will become the third former New Zealand rugby league international to play for England, following in the footsteps of Henry Paul and Lesley Vainikolo.

The 29-year-old who won 14 caps for the Kiwis has been on England’s radar since switching codes to sign for Bath in 2008.