ENGLAND have named former Worcester Warriors centre Ollie Lawrence in their side to take on Scotland in the Guinness Six Nations. 

The Bath centre missed the opening two rounds of the competition - in which England beat Italy 27-24 and Wales 16-14 - due to injury, but returns for the key Calcutta Cup contest in Edinburgh on Saturday evening. 

Lawrence - who takes the sport of Fraser Dingwall - is one of five changes from the England team that beat Wales at Twickenham in round two, with full-back Freddie Steward the surprise omission, replaced by Northampton's George Furbank.

The decision at full-back is influenced by Lawrence’s return at inside centre in an injection of ball-carrying clout into the backline.

England have lacked a runner capable of breaking tackles and drawing in defenders as a decoy but Lawrence will perform that role in the pivotal round-three clash in Edinburgh.

In total there are five changes to the starting XV that dispatched Wales 16-14 at Twickenham, with Ellis Genge and Dan Cole appearing in the front row in a rotation of the props. 

Completing the adjustments is the promotion of Danny Care to scrum-half for his 99th cap after Alex Mitchell was ruled out by a knee injury.

England have also beefed up their bench by naming George Martin as replacement lock for his first appearance since starring in the World Cup semi-final defeat by South Africa in October.

Martin sat out the start of the Championship because of a knee injury but will provide brawn on both sides of the ball.

Only England and Ireland are still on for the Grand Slam but, having lost three successive Tests to Scotland, Saturday will provide the toughest examination of Steve Borthwick’s side yet.

“We’re pleased with the start we’ve made to our Six Nations campaign but know that a difficult test awaits us in Edinburgh against an in-form Scotland team,” Borthwick said.

“The atmosphere is always special for any Calcutta Cup match and I’m sure this weekend’s game at Murrayfield will be no different.

“This group of players are looking forward to the challenge on Saturday and to creating some very special memories.”