England have made six changes to their side for the final stage of their Rugby World Cup build-up against Ireland.

Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon), Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers) and James Haskell (Ricoh Black Rams) all start in Saturday’s match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (2.30pm).

Mike Tindall (Gloucester Rugby), who leads the side, will win his 72nd cap and draw level with Will Carling as England’s most-capped centre.

At the other end of his international career is Joe Simpson, the London Wasps scrum half who will win his first cap if he appears as a replacement.

England Team Manager, Martin Johnson, said: “We expect a hugely competitive game in Dublin and it gives us the ideal run out before we depart for the World Cup. These warm up fixtures have been valuable in terms of our preparation for the World Cup, giving players game time together.

“We are pleased to see Andrew Sheridan back in the mix after working hard to get back to full fitness and he, along with Chris Ashton, will get his first start since meeting up in camp.

“Mike Tindall captains the side and, as he reaches another milestone in the game, he further demonstrates the level of quality and experience he brings to the side as a player and leader.”

England

15 Ben Foden (Northampton Saints)

14 Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints)

13 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)

12 Mike Tindall (Gloucester Rugby, captain)

11 Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks)

10 Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon)

9 Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)

1 Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks)

2 Steve Thompson (London Wasps)

3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)

4 Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers)

5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)

6 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)

7 James Haskell (Ricoh Black Rams)

8 Nick Easter (Harlequins)

Replacements

16 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)

17 Matt Stevens (Saracens)

18 Simon Shaw (Unattached)

19 Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

20 Joe Simpson (London Wasps)

21 Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers)

22 Delon Armitage (London Irish)