Six Nations 2014: George Ford Replaces Toby Flood as Stuart Lancaster Rings England Changes

Bath fly half George Ford is among five uncapped players named in Stuart Lancaster's new-look 35-man England squad for the Six Nations championship.

Ford, the son of former England defence coach Mike Ford, has flourished since his arrival at Bath from Leicester Tigers last year.

The 20-year-old will replace the departed Toby Flood who heads off to Toulouse, devoiding himself of a place in Lancaster's squad and for next year's World Cup in the only alteration from the autumn internationals.

Leicester's Ed Slater, Northampton Saints' Luther Burrell, Exeter Chiefs' Jack Nowell and Ford's Bath teammate Anthony Watson complete the uncapped quintet after promotion to the Elite Player Squad.

Lancaster said: "I am delighted for George who is rewarded for his form for Bath and we are excited about including him in the Senior Elite Player Squad.

"We have kept changes to a minimum because we believe that this squad can take us forward into 2015 and we are hopeful that some of those injured may be available before the end of the Six Nations and certainly for the New Zealand tour.

"I have met Toby Flood several times and told him I really wanted him to stay and stay at Leicester and play for England," Lancaster added.

"He has made a lifestyle choice and we respect that but given the RFU's policy of not selecting players based overseas save for exceptional circumstances it was important that we allow others such as George Ford to progress."

Lancaster is also set to unleash a trio of young speed merchants as England look to overcome injuries suffered by Christian Wade, Marland Yarde, Ben Foden and Ugo Monye.

Spearheading the attack from the back three are Premiership highfliers Watson, Nowell and Jonny May from Gloucester who will look to bring pace, ambition and no holds barred creativity to England's game.

Bath youngster Watson, 19, climbed the ladder from England U20s and emerged in 2011 to play for London Irish.

The winger has since exploded onto the scene in 2013 and now plays a vital part at Bath where his speed and footwork often leave the opposition standing feebly in his wake.

Fellow U20 team-mate Nowell's recent form for Exeter has earned him not only a squad place but praise from Springbok winger Bryan Habana who has been impressed by the Cornishman.

Utility back May, 23, will also have the chance add to his one cap with an appearance in this year's championship and adds another facet to Lancaster's attack.

Another back who is set for his Six Nations debut is Northampton Saints centre Burrell. Early indications suggest that the 26-year-old could have what it takes and is both strong in attack and deadly in defence at inside centre.

Kyle Eastmond, 24, takes another of the centre spots after a switch of code in 2011 saw him move from rugby league giants St Helens to play for Bath.

Into the forwards comes Slater from Leicester Tigers. Slater has played in both the second and back rows and has 71 club caps under his belt. Standing at 6 ft, 6 ins tall and at over 18 stone this 25-year-old is sure be a force to be reckoned with.

The inclusion of so many new faces comes as Lancaster and his coaching staff were dealt a number of injury blows before the New Year losing the likes of Manu Tuilagi, Yarde, Wade, Alex Corbisiero, Geoff Parling, Tom Croft, Foden and Joel Tomkins.

Chris Robshaw, who is likely to captain England in their campaign, is one of the more familiar faces alongside less experienced caps flanker Matt Kvesic and lock Dave Attwood while Saints fly half Stephen Myler is also selected.

"Stephen Myler has a chance to lay down a marker when he trains with us while we have decided that Freddie Burns should get more international game time with the Saxons against the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds at Kingsholm on January 25, while Rob Webber and Richard Wigglesworth will give us some depth to our training," Lancaster concluded.

England kick off their opening Six Nations match against France at Stade de France on 1 February.

England squad for Six Nations:

Forwards: Cole, Marler, Mullan, Thomas, M Vunipola, Wilson, Hartley, Webber, T Youngs; Locks: Attwood, Slater, Launchbury, Lawes; Johnson, Kvesic, Morgan, Robshaw, B Vunipola, Wood.

Backs: Ashton, Brown, Goode, May, Nowell, Watson; Barritt, Burrell, Eastmond, Twelvetrees; Myler, Farrell, Ford; Care, Dickson, B Youngs; Wigglesworth.