On top of the XV that defeated New Zealand in December, Lancaster has welcomed back a number of players from injury or suspension, giving him a number of selection headaches.

Ben Foden is back to push Mike Brown for the full-back slot if Alex Goode is ruled out with a shoulder problem while David Strettle has also been recalled and will compete for a place on the left wing.

Hooker Dylan Hartley is back from suspension and will look to dislodge Tom Youngs for the No.2 jersey and while Lancaster is sweating on Manu Tuilagi’s ankle problem, he has a number of options to fill the void.

Jonathan Joseph and Billy Twelvetrees are both in the squad while Owen Farrell could move to the centres and Toby Flood slot in at fly-half.

But while Lancaster revealed his starting XV is far from set in stone, he claims it’s a healthy situation to be in.

“It is quite an interesting selection debate," said Lancaster, speaking at the official RBS 6 Nations 2013 launch in London.

"I don't think selection going into the Scotland game is as simplistic as people perhaps think on the back of the All Blacks game.

"We've got a lot of decisions to make. Ben Foden is back, who obviously didn't play in the autumn. Dylan Hartley is back (from suspension). Dave Strettle is in. There's pressure and competition in every position, which is great."

On Tuilagi, Lancaster added: "Manu is pretty optimistic that he's going to be alright but I don't want to say now that he's going to be fit or vice-versa.

“We'll just have to wait and see how he gets on. It's too early to tell."