* Four changes and new-look backline for Wales clash
* Hodgson out with finger injury
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By Mitch Phillips
BAGSHOT, England, Feb 23 (Reuters) – Lee Dickson, Ben
Morgan and Geoff Parling will make their first England starts
against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday while Owen Farrell
switches to flyhalf in place of the injured Charlie Hodgson.
An finger problem for Hodgson has given England caretaker
coach Stuart Lancaster an opportunity to pair inexperienced but
exciting duo Dickson and Farrell at halfback while also trying a
balanced centre partnership of Brad Barritt and Manu Tuilagi.
Flyhalf Toby Flood and lock Courtney Lawes, yet to feature
in the tournament because of injury, were also named among the
replacements.
Scrumhalf Dickson injected some real fizz from the bench in
the laboured but important opening away wins over Scotland and
Italy, Morgan provided rare forward momentum from number eight
while Parling also brought some stability to a wobbly lineout.
Ben Youngs, who has looked ponderous at times from
scrumhalf, and number eight Phil Dowson drop to the bench but
lock Tom Palmer misses out on the 22.
Hodgson, who scored England’s two tries in their first two
games following chargedowns, had been expected to retain his
place, despite the availability of Flood.
Continued…
