Dawson has not played for England since November 2002

Dawson comes in for Kyran Bracken at scrum-half with Tindall replacing Charlie Hodgson in the centre. Woodward has also made four changes because of injuries.

Wasps' Josh Lewsey will make his first England start since the 2001 summer tour of North America as he replaces Jason Robinson, who limped off during the win over Wales 10 days ago, at full-back.

Gloucester's James Simpson-Daniel replaces thigh-injury victim Ben Cohen on the wing, while lock Danny Grewcock fills injured skipper Martin Johnson's boots, with Jonny Wilkinson taking over the captaincy.

Wilkinson 'ecstatic' with captaincy

Joe Worsley comes into a re-shuffled England back row in place of Neil Back, with Richard Hill expected to switch to open-side flanker in place of the Leicester Tiger.

Woodward said that Dawson's sparkling form for Northampton had earned him the nod ahead of Bracken.

Mike [Tindall] is back to the playing levels he had in the autumn and I'm sure he will put in a good performance at the weekend Clive Woodward

"Kyran came in and did a good job against Wales and as ever it was a very tight call between the two of them, but on club form Matt just edged it," said Woodward.

The England coach also paid tribute to the discarded Hodgson but said Tindall's recent displays meant the Bath centre deserved to return to the side.

"Mike is back to the playing levels he had in the autumn and I'm sure he will put in a good performance at the weekend," said Woodward.

"Charlie Hodgson has performed exceptionally well, while playing out of his normal position, in the last two Tests.

"His contribution can't be over estimated and the games have given him vital experience at international level."

Woodward has also made changes on the bench.

Uncapped Leicester centre Ollie Smith has been called up, along with Wasps lock Simon Shaw and Sale Sharks flanker Alex Sanderson.

England: J Lewsey (Wasps); J Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), W Greenwood (Harlequins), M Tindall (Bath), D Luger (Harlequins); J Wilkinson (Newcastle, capt), M Dawson (Northampton); G Rowntree (Leicester), S Thompson (Northampton), R Morris (Northampton), D Grewcock (Bath), B Kay (Leicester), J Worsley (Wasps), R Hill (Saracens), L Dallaglio (Wasps).
Replacements: M Regan (Leeds), M Worsley (London Irish), S Shaw (Wasps), A Sanderson (Sale Sharks), K Bracken (Saracens), C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), O Smith (Leicester).