Lee Dickson is in line to start his first Test for England as one of three changes expected for Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Wales.
The Northampton Saints scrum-half is understood to have been promoted into the starting side after impressive performances off the bench against Scotland and Italy.
Leicester lock Geoff Parling and No.8 Ben Morgan are also preparing to make their full debuts at Twickenham.
But England interim coach Stuart Lancaster is ready to resist the temptation to thrust Dickson’s club-mate Courtney Lawes straight into the starting side.
The Saints lock plus Manu Tuilagi and Toby Flood are set to be named on the bench when Lancaster confirms his line-up to tackle the Triple Crown-chasing Welsh.
Lawes would provide the second-row cover after overcoming a knee injury while Tuilagi and Flood are also set to be used as impact replacements. All three are in England’s matchday 22 for the first time this tournament but Lancaster is preparing to stick by his all-Saracens starting midfield of Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt outside Charlie Hodgson.
Lancaster said: “We’ve had a great two days of training and some difficult selection decisions with players coming back into the equation. There are some players who have missed out this time but their attitude in training has been outstanding.
"We will look forward to meeting again on Wednesday night with our match day 22 and finalising preparations for the game.”
Once again, Lancaster released Saints flanker Calum Clark and prop Paul Doran-Jones and the pair will be available for the Premiership clash at London Irish on Sunday.
