Chiefs duo on bench for England

By Mark Stevens
24/2/17

Exeter Chiefs duo Jack Nowell and Henry Slade have both been named on the bench for England’s RBS 6 Nations game against Italy at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 3pm, live on ITV).

Head coach Eddie Jones has made four changes to the starting XV that beat Wales at Principality Stadium in round two of the Championship. In the back line Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors) gets his first start in an England shirt at outside-centre. Danny Care (Harlequins) is named at scrum-half and Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby) returns to the right wing. In the scrum James Haskell (Wasps) is named at flanker.

On the bench, Mako Vunipola (Saracens) returns to an England match-day 23 for the first time this year having recovered from a knee injury. The loose-head prop is included alongside Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Slade and Nowell who will all finish the game.

Sunday’s match will see 25-year old back Owen Farrell (Saracens) win his 50th cap for England having made his debut against Scotland at Murrayfield in 2012.

“We have had a good two-week preparation for Italy and we’re ready to go,” said England head coach Jones.

“We trained very well in the city last week and this week the training has been very impressive. The boys are really on song, we have had great competition for places, and we’ve picked a very strong 23 to play against Italy.

“Selection was tough. Ben Te’o at 13 gives us another way of playing the game and we are excited about seeing him, George Ford and Owen Farrell play together in the midfield.

“Ben Youngs has been outstanding for us at number nine, but Danny Care gets the starting jersey this week. For the first half he’ll give us a lot of speed and running at the base of the ruck as well as the scrum. Ben will then come on and finish the game.

“Tom Wood has been great for us at seven, and Jack Clifford did well against Wales but James Haskell has the starting role on Sunday; he has come back to a much better level of fitness and we are sure his explosive actions will help us in the first part of the game.

“It is an important Test match for us and our only consideration is to play well. Italy have a proud record in Test rugby, they beat South Africa in November, and we will not underestimate them.

“I know the Twickenham crowd will give Owen Farrell a big cheer. To reach 50 caps at such a young age is a fine achievement. The one thing I know about Owen is that his next 50 are going to be more impressive than his first.”

England match-day 23 for the RBS 6 Nations game against Italy

15. Mike Brown (vice captain, Harlequins, 57 caps)
14. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 24 caps)
13. Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors, 5 caps)
12. Owen Farrell (vice captain, Saracens, 49 caps)
11. Elliot Daly (Wasps, 10 caps)
10. George Ford (Bath Rugby, 32 caps)
9. Danny Care (Harlequins, 68 caps)

1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 48 caps)
2. Dylan Hartley (captain, Northampton Saints, 81 caps)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 71 caps)
4. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 39 caps)
5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 55 caps)
6. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 9 caps)
7. James Haskell (Wasps, 72 caps)
8. Nathan Hughes (Wasps, 5 caps)

16. Jamie George (Saracens, 14 caps)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 39 caps)
18. Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 5 caps)
19. Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 47 caps)
20. Jack Clifford (Harlequins, 9 caps)
21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 67 caps)
22. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 4 caps)
23. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 20 caps)