Head coach Stuart Lancaster hailed England’s collective second-row strength yesterday, which will be bolstered by the return of Courtney Lawes for the Six Nations clash with Scotland.

Lawes will make his first international appearance since facing Australia last autumn after winning his battle with an ankle problem, proving his fitness in two recent club games for Northampton.

Full-back Mike Brown also returns after missing the 19-9 defeat by Ireland because of the concussion he suffered against Italy, replacing Alex Goode in the starting XV.