England have had to promote another fresh face, James Haskell, into the starting XV for their final Six Nations fixture against Wales in Cardiff tomorrow.

The uncapped Wasps back-row forward will replace Harlequins' Nick Easter, who has a neck injury. At 21 Haskell will lower the average age of England's team still further, with eight of their 22-man squad now 24 or under.

The 6ft 3in debutant will wear No6 with Joe Worsley switching to No8 but the pair are likely to swap positions depending on the state of the game. It is another positive statement by the head coach, Brian Ashton, who could simply have moved Martin Corry back to his old position or elevated Magnus Lund from the bench.

Instead, with his options reduced by injuries to Dan Ward-Smith, Lewis Moody and James Forrester, he has chosen an all-Wasps back row for the first time in English rugby history.

Haskell has played for England at various age-group levels but has started only 16 first-class games for Wasps. Italy, meanwhile, will be without the prop Andrea Lo Cicero against Ireland in Rome because of illness.