Rebecca Essex gets the starting nod at lock, with La Toya Mason, Kimberly Oliver and Fran Matthews the only other changes to the team that lost 13-10 to the Black Ferns last summer.

Richmond wing Fran Matthews, who has 13 caps, has been called up as a late replacement for Michaela Staniford who has a fractured jaw.

Darlington Mowden Park Sharks fly-half Katy McLean takes over from Catherine Spencer as skipper after being named the England Coaches’ Player of the Season for 2009-10, and amassing 200 points from her 38 caps.

And with England looking to win their sixth consecutive Six Nations and defend their grand slam crown, Street is looking to get off to the best possible start.

“The last time we played Wales in Wales we lost 16-15, so yes there is huge motivation for us here. We got turned over last time and we don’t want that to happen again,” said Street.

“We are fortunate that we haven’t had many retirements since the World Cup and that this is still a relatively young squad.

“We are now just looking forward to getting back on the pitch and playing again. Our aim is to raise our standards, and to focus 100 per cent on this first game.

“There is huge anticipation for this game and the season ahead and my selection for this opener shows that I plan to make sure we do the job.”

15 – Danielle Waterman (Worcester)
14 – Katherine Merchant (Worcester)
13 – Emily Scarratt (Lichfield)
12 – Kimberley Oliver (Bristol)
11 – Fran Matthews (Richmond)
10 – Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
9 – La Toya Mason (Wasps)
1 – Rochelle Clark (Worcester)
2 – Amy Garnett (Saracens)
3 – Sophie Hemming (Bristol)
4 – Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps)
5 – Rebecca Essex (Richmond)
6 – Sarah Hunter (Lichfield)
7 – Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens)
8 – Catherine Spencer (Bristol)

Replacements:

16 – Emma Croker (Richmond)
17 – Claire Purdy (Wasps)
18 – Rowena Burnfield (Richmond)
19 – Heather Fisher (Worcester)
20 – Georgina Rozario (Lichfield)
21 – Rachael Burford (Richmond)
22 – Georgina Roberts (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks