The powerful centre hasn't played international rugby for 21 months because of injury and a conviction for assaulting a taxi driver and two female police officers on a night out. He recently returned to action for English club Leicester Tigers.

England coach Eddie Jones stuck with the centre partnership of Owen Farrell and Jonathan Joseph when he announced an unchanged team on Thursday, saying: "Tuilagi's selection to the matchday squad is based more on potential than his recent performances in the Premiership.

"He has trained well this week and I am pleased with what I've seen."

Leicester coach Richard Cockerill said this week that Tuilagi isn't ready to play a full game.

Fit-again lock Joe Launchbury was on the bench, unable to displace rising star Maro Itoje. Luke Cowan-Dickie came into the reserves in place of injured hooker Jamie George as backup to captain Dylan Hartley, and Kieran Brookes got the nod over Paul Hill as one of the replacement props.

England has a one-point lead over Wales heading into Round 4 and a victory at Twickenham would clinch a first title since 2011, if France loses in Scotland on Sunday. England has won its first three games and is still on for the Grand Slam.