Jones tweaks England lineup

Coach Eddie Jones has made three changes to England's starting lineup for Sunday's clash against Italy in Rome.

Loosehead prop Mako Vunipola, lock Courtney Lawes and scrumhalf Ben Youngs come in for Joe Marler, Joe Launchbury and Danny Care respectively, with the latter three dropping to the bench.

Jones said the three newcomers to the starting side had impressed off the bench against Scotland last weekend and would contribute to the approach England wanted to adopt on Sunday.

'I believe this is the strongest 23 to go to Rome and get the performance and result we want. Mako, Ben and Courtney have been pushing hard for selection during training, but they also fit the game plan we want to implement against Italy. Danny, Joe Marler and Joe Launchbury will all have a significant roles to play to finish the game.'

Meanwhile, Maro Itoje is poised to make his England debut after being named on the bench.

'Maro has consistently impressed me this week and, together with his excellent club form, has deserved his call-up to the match-day squad,' Jones said.

England – 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jack Nowell, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 James Haskell, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 George Kruis, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 1 Mako Vunipola.
Subs: 16 Jamie George, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Maro Itoje, 21 Jack Clifford, 22 Danny Care, 23 Alex Goode.

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

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