And full-back Robinson's Sale Sharks colleague, wing Mark Cueto, is the solitary new cap selected by coach Andy Robinson for his first match in charge since replacing World Cup supremo Sir Clive Woodward.

Leicester scrum-half Harry Ellis has seen his hopes of an England debut dashed by an Achilles tendon injury.

Gloucester's Andy Gomarsall, troubled by a back spasm in recent day days, has made the starting line up, with Newcastle's uncapped Hall Charlton providing bench cover.

Cumbrian Cueto, 24, is belatedly rewarded for consistently impressive club form. In 71 Premiership appearances, he has scored 39 tries.

Full-back Robinson, meanwhile, becomes the first former rugby league player to skipper England, taking over from fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, who is sidelined with an upper-arm injury.

And Robinson could find himself retaining the captaincy for games against South Africa and Australia later this month, given that Wilkinson is battling to be fit.

There are nine changes, including Josh Lewsey's positional switch from full-back to left-wing, following England's last game - a 51-15 defeat against Australia in Brisbane just over four months ago.

But only four players - Robinson, Lewsey, centre Mike Tindall, who is vice-captain, and hooker Steve Thompson - feature from England's World Cup final starting XV that beat Australia 20-17 almost a year ago.


England team to play Canada:

J Robinson (Sale Sharks, capt); M Cueto (Sale Sharks), M Tindall (Bath, vice-captain), H Paul (Gloucester), J Lewsey (Wasps), C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), A Gomarsall (Gloucester); G Rowntree (Leicester), S Thompson (Northampton), J White (Leicester), D Grewcock (Bath), S Borthwick (Bath), J Worsley (Wasps), L Moody (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester).

Replacements: A Titterrell (Sale Sharks), A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), B Kaye (Leicester), A Hazell (Gloucester), H Charlton (Newcastle), W Greenwood (Harlequins), B Cohen (Northampton).