Exeter Chiefs trio to face France

Exeter Chiefs trio Luke Cowan-Dickie, Henry Slade and Jonny Hill have been announced as part of the England squad for this weekend's Six Nations clash with France at Twickenham.

Luke Cowan-Dickie is in at Hooker for just his second Six Nations start, with Henry Slade keeping his 13 shirt and Chiefs lock Jonny Hill named as one of Eddie Jones' finishers, as England look to bounce back after a 40-24 loss to Wales in round three.

Elsewhere Anthony Watson will make his 50th appearance for England at right wing. He made his debut in November 2014 against New Zealand.

Max Malins will make his first start for England coming in at full back, with Jonny May on the left wing. Captain Owen Farrell stays at inside centre, Henry Slade at outside centre and George Ford at fly half. The squad’s most-capped player Ben Youngs continues at scrum half.

In the front row, Luke Cowan-Dickie is at hooker, with Mako Vunipola and Kyle Sinckler alongside him. Charlie Ewels is named at lock alongside Maro Itoje in the second row. Mark Wilson stays as blind-side flanker, Tom Curry is open-side flanker and Billy Vunipola continues at No. 8.

Jamie George, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Jonny Hill, Ben Earl, Dan Robson, Ollie Lawrence and Elliot Daly are named as finishers, completing Jones’ 23.

Eddie Jones said: “This France game is one we are really looking forward to.

“We are of course disappointed that we can’t defend the championship, but that makes this an even more important game. We want to show what we are capable of.

“The squad have competed really hard in training since Sunday. I believe this is the best 23 to really take the game to France and get us on the front foot.”

England’s final game is against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday 20 March (4.45pm KO). England v France is live on ITV 1 and BBC Radio 5 Live. 

England Squad to face France

15. Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 6 caps)

14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 49 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 37 caps)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 91 caps) (C)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 64 caps)
10. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 75 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 107 caps)

1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 65 caps)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 29 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 42 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 46 caps)
5. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 19 caps)
6. Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons, 21 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 31 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 59 caps)

Finishers

16. Jamie George (Saracens, 57 caps)
17. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 26 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)
19. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps)
20. Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 11 caps)
21. Dan Robson (Wasps, 10 caps)
22. Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, 4 caps)
23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 50 caps)