Danny Cipriani will be out to answer his critics against Ireland 'A' on Friday © Getty Images

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Matches: Ireland A 0 - 0 England Saxons

Players/Officials: Danny Cipriani

Teams: England | Ireland

Danny Cipriani has been charged with providing England Saxons with a cutting edge against Ireland 'A' on Friday. The Wasps fly-half has been named in the starting line-up for England's second string for the Donnybrook clash after his surprise release from the elite squad for this weekend's Six Nations opener against Italy.

Saxons coach Stuart Lancaster will be relying on Cipriani and London Irish scrum-half Paul Hodgson to unleash an exciting back line that features Bath duo Matt Banahan and Nick Abendanon and England U20 and Harlequins star Jordan Turner-Hall.

They will be up against a strong looking Ireland 'A' outfit, set to be captained by London Irish lock Bob Casey. Casey packs down in the second-row alongside Ryan Caldwell of Ulster, while there is a settled and experienced look in other areas of the side too.

Eoin Reddan starts at scrum-half after his demotion from the senior squad, while Leinster outside-half Jonathan Sexton will likely line-up opposite Danny Cipriani. Shane Jennings and Neil Best add international quality to the back-row alongside Connacht's John Muldoon. In the front-row there are starts for Harlequins prop Mike Ross, Connacht hooker Sean Cronin and promising Leinster prop Cian Healy. Ulster scrum-half Isaac Boss was a late withdrawal through injury, with Leinster's Chris Keane slotting in on the bench.

With a powerful centre pairing of Turner-Hall and Dominic Waldouck running out for the Saxons, the senior England management may have an eye on proceedings given the recent injury scare to Gloucester skipper Mike Tindall.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Jordan [Turner-Hall] play," said Lancaster. "He was outstanding for England U20s last season as has been in great form for Harlequins. This is his first opportunity for Saxons. Likewise, Stephen Myler has impressed me, he's done extremely well to have stepped straight in at this level and hopefully we'll be able to get him some game time."

Paul Hodgson has been confirmed in the starting team, with London Wasps' Joe Simpson called up to the bench, after Leicester scrum-half Harry Ellis was named at No.9 for England's opening Six Nations game with Italy at Twickenham.

Despite naming six capped players in their run on team, Lancaster and Assistant Coach Paul Hull know they face an equally experienced Irish outfit. "Ireland will be a very tough opposition," said Lancaster. "With so many new players in our squad, we'll be looking to build our team on and off the field and give the players a framework in which to express and enjoy themselves, yet still achieve our ultimate aim which is to win the game."

In the pack, the Harlequins trio of Will Skinner, Chris Robshaw and Tom Guest will occupy the back row. Said Lancaster, "they've all been in great form for Quins and thoroughly deserve this opportunity. Hopefully that can replicate their club form on the international stage.

"We're also lucky to have Phil Dowson and Stuart Hooper in the squad to give us experience and leadership."

Quins fullback Mike Brown failed to recover fully from an ankle injury sustained prior to joining the Saxons camp and wasn't considered for selection but having just returned from injury, his fellow Quins' speedster David Strettle has been named on the bench. "David only played his first game back last weekend, it's good to have him back and involved again, again hopefully we can get him on the pitch," finished Lancaster.

Ireland 'A': G Duffy (Connacht), A Trimble (Ulster), D Cave (Ulster), K Matthews (Connacht), M McCrea (Ulster), J Sexton (Leinster), E Reddan (Wasps), C Healy (Leinster), S Cronin (Connacht), M Ross (Harlequins), B Casey (London Irish, captain), R Caldwell (Ulster), N Best (Northampton), S Jennings (Leinster), J Muldoon (Connacht).

Replacements: J Fogarty (Leinster), J Andress (Exeter), D Ryan (Munster), S O'Brien (Leinster), C Keane (Leinster), I Humphreys (Ulster), B Murphy (Munster).

England Saxons: Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby), Topsy Ojo (London Irish), Dominic Waldouck (London Wasps), Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins), Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby), Danny Cipriani (London Wasps), Paul Hodgson (London Irish), Matthew Mullan (Worcester Warriors), David Paice (London Irish), Dave Wilson (Newcastle Falcons), Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers), George Skivington (London Wasps, captain), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Will Skinner (Harlequins), Tom Guest (Harlequins)

Replacements: Rob Webber (London Wasps), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Stuart Hooper (Bath Rugby), Phil Dowson (Newcastle Falcons), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints), David Strettle (Harlequins)