England coach Clive Woodward has never been afraid to give youth a chance and Northampton's young giant Robbie Morris is the latest to benefit.

"If they are good enough, they are old enough" is the Woodward philosophy and, although injuries have forced his hand somewhat, he has no qualms about throwing 19st Morris - 21 on Thursday - into the RBS 6 Nations fray against shell-shocked Wales on Saturday.

"I'm really looking forward to him making the most of his opportunity and to blooding another young player at international level," Woodward said.

"Robbie was outstanding against France A last week and he has been part of the England set-up for nearly a year."

Woodward blooded Gloucester wing James Simpson-Daniel in the autumn international programme and named Sale Sharks fly-half Charlie Hodgson in the centre for the first time in his life for last Saturday's 25-17 victory over France at Twickenham.

Morris, known to his mates as "Maverick", has played just 32 senior matches for Northampton and two games for the England A team, but he was called up after it was decided that Bristol Shoguns' Julian White must undergo an operation this afternoon to repair knee ligament damage aggravated against the French.

"Obviously I'm disappointed for Julian but it's an opportunity I intend to make the most of," Morris said.

"I've enjoyed being part of the England set-up over the last few months and I'm really looking forward to making my debut against Wales," added Morris, the third member of the Northampton Saints Academy to graduate to the full England team following hooker Steve Thompson and winger Ben Cohen, who are both in the side for Cardiff.

White's operation will cost him his 15th England cap and will also result in him missing the Twickenham match against Italy on Sunday, March 9, but he hopes to be back to play against Scotland at Twickenham on March 22 and Ireland in Dublin, eight days later.

Morris will face a Wales side much changed from the one embarrassingly beaten by Italy in Rome last Saturday.

England captain Martin Johnson has warned his team-mates to beware of a team desperate to regain a semblance of pride following their darkest hour.

"There's no more dangerous a side than one which has been written off and criticised publicly," said Johnson.

"That will hurt them and their pride and the only way they can release that is to go out and beat us. We have played their club sides and we know there is talent there and a physical presence and determination.

"It's going to be a hostile crowd but we need to use it in the right way. When you go away from home you don't want to let the crowd get into the game. It's important we make a good start to take the crowd away from the game.

"If they get a win against us it will make their season palatable and there's a massive amount of pressure on our side because we are expected to win and they have got nothing to lose. We must go out and play better than we played last week."