Courtney Lawes returns to England team
England head coach Eddie Jones has named his side for this weekend’s Guinness Six Nations match against Wales.
Courtney Lawes returns to the side as blind-side flanker and is named captain.
Kyle Sinckler will make his 50th appearance for England. The prop made his debut against South Africa in November 2016. Vice-captains Ellis Genge (loose-head prop) and Luke Cowan-Dickie (hooker) join him in the front row.
Maro Itoje and Charlie Ewels are named as locks. Tom Curry (vice-captain) stays at open-side flanker and Alex Dombrandt is No. 8.
Manu Tuilagi returns from injury at inside centre and vice-captain Henry Slade is outside centre. Marcus Smith is fly half and Harry Randall is scrum half.
Jack Nowell (left) and Max Malins (right) are at wing and Freddie Steward is full back.
Ben Youngs could become England’s most-capped men’s player of all time as he is named as finisher. Youngs equalled Jason Leonard’s record of 114 caps in England’s 33-0 win away to Italy. He made his debut in March 2010 against Scotland.
Jamie George, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Nick Isiekwe, Sam Simmonds, George Ford and Elliot Daly complete the finishers.
Jones said: “We’ve prepared very well for this game, the squad have really come together on and off the pitch.
“Wales are a good, tough side and Six Nations champions and it will make for an exciting Test match in front of a full Twickenham crowd.
“We’ve got a talented, young, hungry squad who have trained with real intensity this week. We’re ready to go at them and can’t wait to play in front of our supporters again.
“It will also be a special match with two significant milestones for Ben and Kyle, both of who have made outstanding contributions to English rugby so far in their careers. We congratulate them and we know there is more to come ahead for them.”
The match is live on ITV and BBC Radio 5 Live (4.45pm KO).
ENGLAND XV
- Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
- Max Malins (Saracens, 12 caps)
- Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 45 caps) (VC)
- Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 46 caps)
- Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 36 caps)
- Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 7 caps)
- Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 3 caps)
- Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 33 caps) (VC)
- Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 33 caps) (VC)
- Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 49 caps)
- Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 28 caps)
- Maro Itoje (Saracens, 53 caps)
- Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 90 caps) (C)
- Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 38 caps) (VC)
- Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 6 caps)
FINISHERS
- Jamie George (Saracens, 63 caps)
- Joe Marler (Harlequins, 76 caps)
- Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 17 caps)
- Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 5 caps)
- Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 11 caps)
- Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 114 caps)
- George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 79 caps)
- Elliot Daly (Saracens, 54 caps)
Related Posts
« Few changes for Vodacom Bulls ahead of Zebre Parma clash Cell C Sharks to play Benetton »
