The Northampton Saints flanker takes over from Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers) and is one of three changes to the side beaten 21-11 by South Africa on November 27.

Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers) and James Haskell (Stade Francais) win their 19th and 30th caps respectively in place of injured pair Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) and Lewis Moody (Bath Rugby).

England will be captained by 2003 World Cup winner Mike Tindall (Gloucester Rugby), who leads the side out for the first time.

Returning on the bench are Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) and Joe Worsley (London Wasps) in place of Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks) and Hendre Fourie (Leeds Carnegie).

Prop Paul Doran-Jones (Gloucester Rugby), scrum half Joe Simpson (London Wasps) and full back Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby) have been released to join the England Saxons squad preparing to play Ireland A in Belfast on Friday.

The other players in the squad who have returned to their clubs are Fourie, George Chuter (Leicester Tigers), George Skivington (Leicester Tigers), Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints), Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks) and David Strettle (Saracens).

England Team to face Wales

15 Ben Foden     Northampton Saints
14 Chris Ashton     Northampton Saints
13 Mike Tindall (C)     Gloucester Rugby
12 Shontayne Hape     Bath Rugby
11 Mark Cueto     Sale Sharks
10 Toby Flood     Leicester Tigers
9 Ben Youngs     Leicester Tigers
1 Andrew Sheridan     Sale Sharks
2 Dylan Hartley     Northampton Saints
3 Dan Cole     Leicester Tigers
4 Louis Deacon     Leicester Tigers
5 Tom Palmer     Stade Francais
6 Tom Wood      Northampton Saints
7 James Haskell     Stade Francais
8 Nick Easter     Harlequins

Replacements

16 Steve Thompson     Leeds Carnegie
17 David Wilson     Bath Rugby
18 Simon Shaw     London Wasps
19 Joe Worsley     London Wasps
20 Danny Care     Harlequins
21 Jonny Wilkinson     RC Toulon
22 Matt Banahan     Bath Rugby