New lock for England

Maro Itoje will make his first start for England after being named in the side to face Ireland on Saturday.

England coach Eddie Jones has made two change to his starting line-up for the Six Nations clash at Twickenham, with Saracens lock Itoje replacing Courtney Lawes, while loosehead prop Joe Marler is preferred to Mako Vunipola.

Lawes is named as a replacement, having coming into the squad for injured Wasps forward Joe Launchbury.

'Joe Launchbury is unlucky to miss out through injury, and Maro Itoje is selected as result and we’re pleased for him,' Jones said. 'Joe Marler made a big impact off the bench in Rome and will start the game, with Mako Vunipola finishing the match.'

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 Maro Itoje, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 1 Joe Marler.
Subs: 16 Jamie George, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 Jack Clifford, 21 Danny Care, 22 Danny Care, 23 Alex Goode.

Photo: Dan Mullan/RFU

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