De Luca will win his 16th international cap when he runs out at Murrayfield and takes up his position at outside centre, making his first start for Scotland since the victory over Canada at Pittodrie in 2008.

There is also one positional change as Max Evans moves to left wing with Simon Danielli switching to the bench as Robinson aims to put their disappointing defeat against Italy behind them with victory in the Calcutta Cup.

Scrum-half Mike Blair and prop Alasdair Dickinson have been ruled out through concussion sustained playing for their clubs at the weekend, while Alasdair Strokosch is sidelined with an ankle injury.

Rory Lawson, who played a major part in Scotland's win against Australia last autumn, Geoff Cross and Alan MacDonald are listed amongst the replacements.

Robinson said: “The team has played some good rugby and we have been creating chances. We just need to take that next step and finish off a game.

“Max has been our most potent attacker and we also want to see Nick and the qualities that he can bring to this game.”

Scotland team to play England: Southwell, Lamont, De Luca, Morrison, Evans, Parks, Cusiter, Jacobsen, Ford, Murray, Hamilton, Kellock, Brown, Beattie, Barclay
Replacements: Lawson S, Cross, Hines, MacDonald, Lawson R, Godman, Danielli