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England make five changes for their round two game with Italy
By Liam Heagney
England boss Eddie Jones has made five changes to his team to face Italy in this Saturday's Guinness Six Nations round two game following last Saturday's shock round one Twickenham loss to Scotland. Skipper Owen Farrell reverts to inside centre in place of Ollie Lawrence, with George Ford coming in at out-half.
In the pack, there is an entirely changed front row with Mako Vunipola, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Kyle Sinckler coming in for Ellis Genge, Jamie George and Will Stuart. The remaining change comes at blindside where Courtney Lawes starts in place of Mark Wilson.
Ben Earl, Charlie Ewels, George, Genge, Stuart, Jack Willis, Dan Robson and Max Malins are named as finishers in a six/two forwards/backs split.
Speaking after announcing his England team, Jones said: “As always, we have picked what we think is our strongest 23 to try and win the game. We’re pleased to have Mako and Kyle back into the team and we have made some changes to our starting XV, but our finishers are just as important to our game plan. We look at the whole 80 minutes.
“We have trained very well this week. I have been very pleased with the players’ attitudes and workrate. We’re hoping to put on a good performance on Saturday and kick on with our Guinness Six Nations campaign.”
ENGLAND (vs Italy, Saturday)
15. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 48 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 47 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 35 caps)
12. Owen Farrell (C) (Saracens, 89 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 62 caps)
10. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 73 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 105 caps)
1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 63 caps)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 27 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 40 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 44 caps)
5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 86 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 29 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 57 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Jamie George (Saracens, 55 caps)
17. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 24 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)
19. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 17 caps)
20. Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 9 caps)
21. Jack Willis (Wasps, 2 caps)
22. Dan Robson (Wasps, 8 caps)
23. Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 4 caps)
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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