England Under-21s manager Stuart Pearce has selected Blackburn Rovers' Jason Lowe and Birmingham City's Nathan Redmond in his starting XI in their opening Under-21 Euro 2013 match.

Liverpool's Jordan Henderson captains the side, and is joined by clubmates Jonjo Shelvey and Jack Robinson, while Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha is only fit enough for a place on the bench.

Fabio Borini - another of Henderson's Liverpool teammates - starts up front for Italy, alongside Ciro Immobile of Genoa.

The group's early kickoff saw Norway snatch a late 2-2 draw against hosts Israel.

England: Butland; Clyne, Caulker, Dawson, Robinson; Lowe, Henderson, Shelvey, Redmond; Sordell, Wickham

Italy: Bardi; Donati, Bianchetti, Caldirola, Biraghi; Florenzi, Marrone, Verratti, Insigne; Borini, Immobile

For Sports Mole's live commentary of the match, click here.