The call-up of 21-year-old Simpson means there are now three scrum-halves in the 33, while Hodgson joins fellow fly-halves Toby Flood and Jonny Wilkinson.

BBC: Charlie Hodgson

In the injury-enforced absence of Jonny Wilkinson and Toby Flood, uncapped Leicester fly-half Sam Vesty and Brive's Andy Goode were selected ahead of Cipriani for the senior squad.

BBC: Cipriani defends form after axe

Wilkinson was set to challenge Leicester's Toby Flood and a fit-again Danny Cipriani for the number 10 shirt under new manager Martin Johnson, but that scenario is now likely to be delayed.

BBC: Falcons upbeat after Wilkinson op

Jonny Wilkinson is out with a hamstring injury, meaning Newcastle colleague Toby Flood gets another start at fly-half.

BBC: Haskell will form part of an all-Wasps back row for England

Meanwhile Jonny Wilkinson has been reflecting on his demotion to the England bench, with Toby Flood preferred to the Toulon fly-half.

BBC: Moody to captain England as Deacon replaces Borthwick

England were forced into a change of their own on 52 minutes, when Toby Flood, who had impressed at inside centre, limped off to be replaced by Jonny Wilkinson.

BBC: England 33-10 Ireland