Grayson gets England start

Dawson will not start alongside Northampton team-mate Grayson

Northampton's Paul Grayson has been named as Jonny Wilkinson's replacement in the England team for Sunday's opening Six Nations match with Italy.

Lawrence Dallaglio skippers the side, with Harlequins centre Will Greenwood taking the vice-captain's role.

Northampton scrum-half Matt Dawson is replaced by Gloucester's Andy Gomarsall.

Jason Robinson moves from wing to centre with Bath's Iain Balshaw coming in at full-back.

The starting 15 are all guys that have been involved with the World Cup and I expect them to move very swiftly into gear Clive Woodward, England coach

Lock Danny Grewcock replaces retired skipper Martin Johnson and flanker Joe Worsley is in for Neil Back.

Gloucester centre Henry Paul, widely tipped for a starting place, is a replacement.

James Simpson-Daniel of Gloucester was not considered due to injury.

"The starting 15 are all guys who have been involved with the World Cup and I expect them to move very swiftly into gear," said England coach Clive Woodward.

"It was interesting selecting the side, and there are new players coming into a World Cup-winning team.

"Some changes were made due to injury and some through retirement.

"But I'm very excited about the team and looking forward to working with Lawrence Dallaglio as captain."

I'm not sure how Robinson will work out in the centres, but it will be fun to see what happens - it's a pretty explosive three-quarter line. From W.G.'s Beard Have your say on Scrum V

Woodward said he had particularly high hopes for new vice-captain Will Greenwood.

"He's always helped Jonny Wilkinson in that role and with Jonny unavailable, it's important he steps into the frame, particularly in our attacks," he said.

Woodward denied that picking the experienced Grayson to replace Wilkinson was the "safe" choice, rather than picking one of the younger, less experienced players.

"I don't think it's safe and I don't think it goes on age," Woodward said.

"He's the best player and I'm also very mindful that we've had absolutely no training time at all since the World Cup.

"I think to throw in Olly Barkley or Alex King with hardly any preparation would be a big call, especially away from home."

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England: I Balshaw (Bath); J Lewsey (Wasps), W Greenwood (Harlequins), J Robinson (Sale Sharks), B Cohen (Northampton); P Grayson (Northampton), A Gomarsall (Gloucester); T Woodman (Gloucester), S Thompson (Northampton), P Vickery (Gloucester), D Grewcock (Bath), B Kay (Leicester), J Worsley (Wasps), R Hill (Saracens), L Dallaglio (Wasps, captain).

Replacements: M Regan (Leeds), J Leonard (Harlequins), S Borthwick (Bath), C Jones (Sale Sharks), M Dawson (Northampton), O Barkley (Bath), H Paul (Gloucester).