England have named Danny Cipriani and Nick Easter on the bench for tomorrow night's RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff.

Cipriani provides fly-half cover for George Ford while Easter, more traditionally a number eight, has been asked to deputise for the second row with his experience deemed invaluable for the Millennium Stadium showdown.

A new centre partnership is formed by Jonathan Joseph and Luther Burrell and Dan Cole returns at tighthead prop having recovered from a foot problem in his first Test appearance for almost a year.

"Jonathan has been one of the form centres in the country. He and Luther have trained well together and this is a big opportunity for both of them," head coach Stuart Lancaster said.

England's injury crisis means there are only nine survivors from the starting XV that toppled Australia in the climax to the autumn and just five from the 30-3 rout in Cardiff two years ago.

Cole features in the front row as a replacement for David Wilson, who has a neck problem, and is one of four British and Irish Lions returning to the 23 alongside Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola and Tom Croft, who have been picked on the bench.

Joe Marler continues at loosehead as his reward for a strong year for England while Dylan Hartley has held off the challenge of Tom Youngs, despite his recurring lapses in discipline that now total 50 weeks in suspensions.

England: M Brown; A Watson, J Joseph, L Burrell, J May; G Ford, B Youngs; J Marler, DHartley, D Cole, D Attwood, G Kruis, J Haskell, C Robshaw (capt), B Vunipola.

Reps: T Youngs, M Vunipola, K Brookes, N Easter, T Croft, R Wigglesworth, D Cipriani, B Twelvetrees.