"I can't wait to get stuck in. I've a lot of pent up aggression in me," stated the 6ft 4in, 18-stone Harlequins player.

The match is England's chance to hit back from the nightmare second half last Saturday that allowed Wales to triumph at Twickenham for the first time in 20 years.

It is also Easter's first game of 2008. A right knee injury has kept him out of all rugby since late December, but it is a sign of how highly head coach Brian Ashton rates him that even with Luke Narraway having a decent debut Easter is back in as soon as he is available.

In fact, of all the changes Ashton has made Easter’s return is the only one that was not forced upon him.

"Brian and the other coaches have shown massive faith in me and I hope to repay them," said the 29-year-old, who just a year on from his own first cap now finds himself the most experienced player in the back row.

He has packed 12 caps into the last 12 months, while James Haskell will be winning just his fourth and Bath flanker Michael Lipman makes his first appearance because of the injuries to Lewis Moody and replacement Tom Rees against the Welsh.

Previously, of course, Easter has had experienced hands like Martin Corry, Lawrence Dallaglio or Joe Worsley around him, but he has total faith in Haskell and Lipman.

"Michael's been one of the best players in the Premiership this season and James was, in my view, the best player last week,” said Easter.

But that has not led to him being worried about his own lack of match action.

He said: "I don't see it as a problem. Sure, I'd like to have got games under my belt and not had the time off I've had, but at the same time I've done lots of work.

"Hopefully the break will be of benefit. Last year was a bit like three seasons rolled into one - establishing myself in the Premiership, onto the international scene, tour of South Africa, virtually straight into World Cup training camp and then the competition itself.

"I've learnt a lot. It all happened very quickly, but I loved it.

"Now a few guys have retired and I've got more caps than anyone else in the back row, but it's still not many.

"You have to add little parts to your game and not become one-dimensional. I am fully aware of that and I felt until the injury that I was playing well for my club.

"There's a lot of motivation for this game. I was around the camp last week and there was a big difference in the mood on the Sunday - it was a massive disappointment.

"You don't like to lose and you don't like to lose to the Welsh.

"For 60 minutes we controlled things and played the exact game-plan we wanted to, but then we capitulated. We will learn from that - we've got to - and it's something we are desperate to put right this Sunday."