* Four changes and new-look backline for Wales clash
* Hodgson out with finger injury
(Adds Lancaster quotes)
By Mitch Phillips
BAGSHOT, England, Feb 23 (Reuters) – Lee Dickson, Ben
Morgan and Geoff Parling will make their first starts against
Wales at Twickenham on Saturday and Owen Farrell switches to
flyhalf in place of injured Charlie Hodgson as Stuart
Lancaster’s England revolution continued on Thursday.
A finger problem for Hodgson gave the England caretaker
coach a somewhat fortuitous opportunity to pair inexperienced
but exciting duo Dickson and Farrell at halfback while also
trying a potentially well-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 named among the
replacements.
Scrumhalf Dickson injected 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
and Parling also brought 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…
