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Easter is handed his England debut

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TWICKENHAM, England -- England coach Brian Ashton selected rookie flanker Nick Easter on Monday to replace the injured Joe Worsley in the Six Nations rugby match against Italy this weekend.

Worsley injured his neck in England's 42-20 win over Scotland on Saturday and the 31-year-old Harlequins player Easter will win his first cap in Saturday's match at Twickenham.

"Joe Worsley wasn't considered because he hasn't fully recovered from a neck injury he sustained on Saturday, but we believe he will be fit and available for selection for the Ireland game," Ashton said.

"I'd like to congratulate Nick Easter on his first cap for England."

Ashton also reinstated Iain Balshaw at fullback after he withdrew with a groin strain, forcing Olly Morgan to drop out. Substitute scrumhalf Shaun Perry has been preferred instead of Peter Richards.

"I thought that Olly Morgan did a good job on Saturday, especially as he was called in at such short notice, but I have gone for Iain's greater experience at international level," Ashton said.

Flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson, who scored 27 points on Saturday after more than three years out of the England team, will continue his midfield combination with Andy Farrell and Mike Tindall.

England: 15-Iain Balshaw; 14-Josh Lewsey, 13-Mike Tindall, 12-Andy Farrell, 11-Jason Robinson; 10-Johnny Wilkinson, 9-Harry Ellis; 8-Martin Corry, 7-Magnus Lund, 6-Nick Easter, 5-Danny Grewcock, 4-Louis Deacon, 3-Phil Vickery, 2-George Chuter, 1-Perry Freshwater.

Replacements: 16-Lee Mears, 17-Julian White, 18-Tom Palmer, 19-Tom Rees, 20-Shaun Perry, 21-Toby Flood, 22-Mathew Tait

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