Full-back Lewsey, who has won 47 caps, is replaced in the number 15 shirt by Sale Sharks wing Mark Cueto.

It will be Cueto's first England appearance since the final autumn Test against South Africa, having been laid low by injuries.

Cueto, scorer of 13 tries in 18 appearances for England, has never previously started an international as full-back for his country.

But he has featured there in club colours, with Lewsey paying the price for an ineffective display during the 26-18 victory over championship leaders France on Sunday.

One other change from the French clash sees Newcastle centre Mathew Tait taking over from Mike Tindall, who was admitted to hospital on Sunday evening suffering from a suspected knee infection.

With Tait promoted to the starting line-up, his place on the bench goes to his Newcastle colleague Jamie Noon.

Lewsey, despite some impressive defensive displays during the autumn internationals, has failed to impose himself in a tournament that sees England retaining an outside chance of landing the title.

The 30-year-old was guilty of a couple of glaring blunders against France, and England head coach Brian Ashton has now turned to the powerful Cueto, who is a proven finisher at the highest level.

He would undoubtedly have featured for England earlier in the tournament had it not been for injuries, but he now has a chance to stake a claim for full-back duties on a regular basis as the count down continues for this year's World Cup.

With in-form wings David Strettle and Jason Robinson keeping their places, Cueto will complete an exciting back three that appears laden with tries.

Tait will make his first RBS 6 Nations start since England lost 11-9 against Wales at the Millennium Stadium two years ago.

Capped as an 18-year-old, Tait found himself on the receiving end of some heavy-duty tackles - notably from Gavin Henson - but his appearance in the England midfield will provide added pace.

Tindall apart, captain Phil Vickery (concussion), fly-half Jonny Wilkinson (hamstring) and centre Andy Farrell (back) were not considered.

Fly-half Toby Flood (leg) and stand-in skipper Mike Catt (hamstring) suffered knocks during the France game but are expected to train in the near future, while number eight Nick Easter is retained in an unchanged England pack despite reporting neck pain on Monday.

England team:

M Cueto (Sale Sharks); D Strettle (Harlequins), M Tait (Newcastle), M Catt (London Irish, capt), J Robinson (Sale Sharks); T Flood (Newcastle), H Ellis (Leicester); T Payne (Wasps), G Chuter (Leicester), J White (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester), T Palmer (Wasps), J Worsley (Wasps), T Rees (Wasps), N Easter (Harlequins).

Replacements: L Mears (Bath), S Turner (Sale Sharks), L Deacon (Leicester), M Lund (Sale Sharks), S Perry (Bristol), S Geraghty (London Irish), J Noon (Newcastle).