Billy Twelvetrees set to start for England against Scots in Calcutta Cup

Twelvetrees will become the 18th new player capped by head coach Stuart Lancaster in 13 Tests when he lines up alongside Brad Barritt in a rejigged England midfield for the Six Nations opener.

Barritt will revert to the outside centre role he filled on his own Test debut in last year’s Calcutta Cup win at Murrayfield, with Twelvetrees operating on his inside.

Joe Marler returns at loosehead prop in place of Alex Corbisiero, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a knee problem.

Other than the two injury-enforced changes, Lancaster has retained the starting line-up that laid the foundations for England’s record 38-21 victory over New Zealand two months ago.

He said: “We are happy to stick with the team that did so well against New Zealand, especially in light of the fact that they have all been in good form for their clubs since then.

“There were some very tight calls, with some experienced players coming back into contention, and I am sure the bench will have a significant impact on the game.”

Meanwhile defending Six Nations champions will also field a Test debutant as they face Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Injuries to locks Alun-Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris will see the 28-year-old Newport Gwent Dragons forward Andrew Coombs packing down in the second row alongside Ian Evans.

Ospreys playmaker Dan Biggar, meanwhile, fills the fly-half role vacated by an injured Rhys Priestland as Wales look to end a seven-game losing run that represents their worst results sequence since 2003.

Interim head coach Rob Howley said: “It’s a great opportunity for Andrew, who has been performing well at regional level, to show what he can do on this stage.

“As a squad, we have worked hard over the past two weeks and go into Saturday excited and confident at defending our title.”