In a bid to end that run, Johnson - who has guided England to just one away win in the Six Nations - recalls lock Louis Deacon and hands a debut to Northampton flanker Tom Wood at blindside.

James Haskell is shifted to openside in the absence of Lewis Moody who is replaced by Mike Tindall as captain.

And centre Tindall is quick to admit harnessing the power of the vociferous Welsh crowd will be key to the outcome of the match.

He said: "It is going to be a massive game as England versus Wales always is.

"This is a place that's hostile, with passionate fans in a ground that's right on top of you.

"But the challenge for us is to silence the stadium. In a quiet stadium you can hear our calls but it not going to be easy.

"Wales can score from anywhere and we have got to respect them."

A lot of the focus from the stands will be on England hooker Dylan Hartley who has been the subject of some scathing criticism from Wales coach Warren Gatland.

Hartley will also be at the heart of a key confrontation against a Wales front row shorn of its Lions props Adam Jones and Gethin Jenkins.

Craig Mitchell and Paul James pack down alongside hooker Matthew Rees who is captain.

There are further changes in the backrow with young flankers Sam Warburton and Dan Lydiate joining forces with Wasps No.8 Andy Powell.

Behind the scrum, the versatile James Hook has to settle for a place at full-back with Shane Williams and Morgan Stoddart - recalled after a two-year international absence - completing the back three.

While Wales are missing some key personnel through injury, they are also in the worst run of form having won none of their last seven games.

And fly-half Stephen Jones maintains it will be crucial that Wales keep their heads in the white heat of the Millennium Stadium if they are to end that sorry run.

He said: "I can't underestimate the importance of this first game. We can't afford sloppy errors and we have to be accurate.

"England are very effective in defence and we have to be clinical - when we create overlaps we have to take them.

"The fact that it's the first game of the Six Nations is of huge importance, then you add the fact that it's Wales versus England.

"We realise the importance of this game and we have to be successful."