Harry Ellis will start at scrum-half for England in their Six Nations opener against Italy at Twickenham on Saturday after Danny Care failed to recover from an ankle injury.

Care suffered strained ligaments after turning his ankle during training on Tuesday and was finally ruled out this morning.

Ellis, who was initially promoted from the Saxons squad as injury cover, will now go straight into England's starting team, with Northampton's Ben Foden remaining on the bench.

The London Irish scrum-half Paul Hodgson will take Ellis's place in the Saxons team to play Ireland A at Donnybrook tomorrow night.

"On behalf of the squad we all feel for Danny and wish him a speedy recovery," England manager Martin Johnson said. "Harry is an experienced international and I'm sure he will do a good job for us on Saturday."