Rees set for warm-up outing

Wasps flanker Tom Rees will make his first appearance during the World Cup warm-up schedule when England face a quickfire rematch against France in Marseille on Saturday.

Rees recovered from a knee problem earlier this summer, but was then sidelined by a hamstring strain, missing the Twickenham appointments with Wales and France.

But the 22-year-old now packs down in an England side showing 12 changes from the one beaten 21-15 by France last weekend.

Scrum-half Shaun Perry and lock Simon Shaw both play in their third successive August fixture, while wing Josh Lewsey is also retained.

In contrast, full-back Mark Cueto, prop Perry Freshwater and hooker George Chuter join Rees in being handed their first starts of the pre-tournament schedule.

Andy Farrell resumes his centre partnership with Leicester's Dan Hipkiss, which made its bow during the record 62-5 romp against Wales.

Lawrence Dallaglio though has to be content with a place on the bench after Ashton opted for a back row of Martin Corry, Rees and Nick Easter, England's four-try star when Wales were sunk without trace.

Sale Sharks prop Andrew Sheridan will not feature as he is in a Bath hospital recovering from an insect bite.

Sheridan was admitted on Sunday and has received intravenous antibiotics following a bite to the lower part of his right leg. He hopes to be discharged later this week.

Flanker Lewis Moody (calf muscle) was not considered, while scrum-half Peter Richards is continuing to receive treatment for a back problem and Sale's Richard Wigglesworth has remained with the squad as cover.