Ford back on bench for England against Ireland

George Ford will make his comeback from an Achilles injury after being named among the reserves by England for the Autumn Nations Cup match against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

Ford missed the recent wins over Italy and Georgia to undergo treatment on the longstanding issue but, restored to full fitness, was selected as flyhalf cover by coach Eddie Jones on Thursday.

"He has been a mainstay in our team, he has played 69 tests and for him to come on in the last part of the game and add his tactical nous, his tactical kicking ... and his distribution skills is going to be handy for us," Jones said.

Owen Farrell continues as chief playmaker amid an unchanged backline following a 40-0 win against the Georgians that has placed England on top of Group A ahead of matches against Ireland and Wales.

"He didn't think he was quite ready to start," Jones added of Ford. "He has only done two session with us so we felt he needed more time.

"Certainly off the bench, we think he'll be very handy for us."

Powerful centre Ollie Lawrence is given another chance to bring ball-carrying muscle to the midfield alongside Henry Slade.

Flankers Tom Curry and Sam

Underhill returned to the starting lineup against an Ireland side which Jones described as the "No. 1 poaching team in Europe." That allowed Maro Itoje to revert to lock and join Joe Launchbury in the second row.

Props Mako Vunipola and Kyle Sinckler are recalled.

Ireland, coached by former England defense coach Andy Farrell, opened the new tournament with a 32-9 win over Wales but has lost its last three games against England, including a Rugby World Cup warmup 57-15 at Twickenham last year.

"We know they are a very wellcoached team. I know Andy Farrell very well. They will be wellprepared and they will come to Twickenham with a point to prove, which always makes them dangerous," Jones said.

"It's a huge step up from what we have encountered the last couple of games."

England: Elliot Daly, Jonathan Joseph, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Jonny May, Owen Farrell (captain), Ben Youngs; Billy Vunipola, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry, Joe Launchbury, Maro Itoje, Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola. Reserves: Tom Dunn, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Jonny Hill, Ben Earl, Dan Robson, George Ford, Max Malins