Cornwell to lead England Under-21

Leicester Tigers centre Matt Cornwell will captain England Under-21 in the side's Six Nations opener against Wales at Worcester's Sixways ground on Friday evening.

Cornwell led England during last year's IRB U21 world championship in Argentina and this time takes charge of a side containing several players with Guinness Premiership experience.

But coach Jim Mallinder also hands U21 debuts to Gloucester backs Ryan Lamb and Anthony Allen, Bath hooker Chris Brooker and Leeds No.8 Jordan Crane.

"Matt is a good leader who did a fantastic job for us last year," said Mallinder.

"He has been in top form for his club and he has the respect of all the players and management."

England U21: 15 Olly Morgan (Gloucester), 14  James Hoyle (Newcastle Falcons), 13 Matt Cornwell (Leicester Tigers, captain), 12  Anthony Allen (Gloucester), 11 Mike Brown (NEC Harlequins), 10 Ryan Lamb (Gloucester), 9 Ben Foden (Sale Sharks), 8 Jordan Crane (Leeds Tykes), 7 Michael Hills (Sale Sharks), 6 Chris Robshaw (NEC Harlequins), 5 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers), 4 Richard Blaze (Worcester Warriors), 3 David Wilson (Newcastle Falcons), 2 Chris Brooker (Bath Rugby), 1 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints).
Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs (Sale Sharks), 17 Mark Lambert (NEC Harlequins), 18 Tom Ryder (Saracens), 19 James Haskell (London Wasps), 20 Nick Runciman (Worcester), 21 Shane Geraghty (London Irish), 22 Topsy Ojo (London Irish).

Date: Friday, February 3
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Sixways, Worcester
Referee: David Rosich (France)
Touch judges: Vincent Azoulay, Eric Soulan (both France)
Assessor: Brian Leigh (England)
Television match official: Gérard Borreani  (France)