Balshaw has won 22 England caps

The Leeds player is the only change to the England team which lost 19-13 to Ireland at the end of February.

Robinson, who has been filling in for Jonny Wilkinson, will miss the game because of a thumb injury.

England coach Andy Robinson said: "Iain is playing well for Leeds and put in an impressive performance for England A."

Balshaw will be making his first appearance in an England side since the defeat by Ireland in the 2004 Six Nations last March.

I am just very happy to be back playing some decent rugby England full-back Iain Balshaw

He won the first of his 22 caps in 2000, but subsequently suffered a catalogue of injuries that stalled his progress at club and representative levels.

Balshaw joined Leeds from Bath last summer, and captained the Tykes in Saturday's Powergen Cup semi-final victory over London Irish.

Balshaw, a member of England's 2003 World Cup squad, said: "I had a few injuries when I came to Leeds, and I just wanted to get over them.

"I have been working very hard on just getting back and playing consistently, and I have been doing all right recently.

"I've been getting a little bit better with each game, and the confidence is coming.

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"I am feeling sharper and fitter, and I am just very happy to be back playing some decent rugby."

England will be captained for the first time by Leicester number eight Martin Corry on Saturday.

The uncapped pair of Bath prop Duncan Bell and Leicester fly-half Andy Goode are again among the substitutes.

Bell's club colleague Matt Stevens, who impressed in Dublin, is handed another start at tight-head prop.

Leicester back Ollie Smith, tipped by many for a berth on the wing with Josh Lewsey moving to full-back, will have to bide his time on the bench.

Both teams will go into the match looking for their first win in this year's championship, although Italy are bottom of the Six Nations table on points difference.

England: I Balshaw (Leeds); M Cueto (Sale Sharks), J Noon (Newcastle), O Barkley (Bath), J Lewsey (Wasps); C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), H Ellis (Leicester); G Rowntree (Leicester), S Thompson (Northampton), M Stevens (Bath); D Grewcock (Bath), B Kay (Leicester); J Worsley (Wasps), L Moody (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester, capt).
Replacements: A Titterrell (Sale Sharks), D Bell (Bath), S Borthwick (Bath), A Hazell (Gloucester), M Dawson (Wasps), A Goode (Leicester), O Smith (Leicester).