The unfortunate Gomarsall is destined to miss out on a place in the 22 entirely, with Harry Ellis preferred as bench cover.

Andy Robinson demoted Dawson earlier this season after the Wasps star could not commit himself to an England training session because of his filming schedule as a team captain on the BBCs Question of Sport.

It is understood Leicester lock Ben Kay will start in the second-row alongside Danny Grewcock, with a rejigged back-row featuring Gloucesters Andy Hazell at openside flanker.

England know the importance of getting their RBS 6 Nations season off to a winning start in Wales, especially as their next two games are against reigning champions France, followed by many peoples title tip Ireland in Dublin.

Wales have not beaten England in Cardiff since 1993, but their impressive displays during the autumn series - especially against New Zealand and South Africa - appears to give them a strong victory chance.

It is going to be a great game, a very close one to call, and the side that can convert pressure into points is going to win it, said England coach Robinson.

In the end, you are going to be judged on who wins the games, not how the performance goes.

The key thing for us is about new leaders coming through in the team and taking the responsibility, added Robinson, who is preparing for his first RBS 6 Nations game at the helm after replacing World Cup mastermind Sir Clive Woodward last autumn.