Chiefs quartet to face Italy

By Mark Stevens
11/2/22

Jack Nowell will make his first England start since March 2019 after he was named in Eddie Jones' England team to face Italy in the Guinness Six Nations at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday (3pm).

The Cornishman, who is one of four Exeter Chiefs players named in the squad for the game, is one of six changes England have made to their starting line-up following last weekend's narrow loss to Scotland at Murrayfield.

Nowell's inclusion means Joe Marchant shifts into the centre alongside Henry Slade, while Harru Randall is given the nod at scrum-half ahead of Ben Youngs.

In the pack, Jamie George and Will Stuart come into the front-row at the expense of Luke Cowan-Dickie and Kyle Sinckler, while injury to Lewis Ludlam means Maro Itoje switches to the back-row with Charlie Ewels coming in at lock.

The other change in the forwards sees Harlequins' No.8 Alex Dombrandt start over Exeter's Sam Simmonds, who joins Cowan-Dickie on the replacements bench.

Ellis Genge, Slade and Cowan-Dickie are named as vice captains with Sale Sharks flanker Tom Curry set to lead his country for a second time.

Head coach Jones said: “We’ve set ourselves the target of playing really well and lighting up Rome. We’ve made some changes and this is the best side to face Italy. We want to start fast and take the game to them.

“They can be a dangerous team and have some very good players in the likes of Garbisi, Negri and Lamaro. “It’s been a difficult week, but the players have bounced back well, trained hard and are ready to put on a good performance on Sunday.”

In last year’s fixture, England beat Italy 41-18 at Twickenham. Italy v England is live on ITV and BBC Radio 5 Live.

ENGLAND SIDE TO FACE ITALY

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 6 caps)
14. Max Malins (Saracens, 11 caps)
13. Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 8 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 44 caps) (VC)
11. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 35 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 6 caps)
9. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 32 caps) (VC)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 62 caps)
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 16 caps)
4. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 27 caps)
5. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 4 caps)
6. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 52 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 37 caps) (C)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 5 caps)

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 32 caps) (VC)
17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 75 caps)
18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 48 caps)
19. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
20. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 10 caps)
21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 113 caps)
22. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 78 caps)
23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 53 caps)