Jones brings back big guns Watson and Vunipola for record charge

WINGER Anthony Watson and No 8 Billy Vunipola will both make their first starts of the championship after being selected by England coach Eddie Jones yesterday for the Six Nations showdown with Ireland in Dublin tomorrow.

Vunipola who has come off the bench in the last two games following recovery from a knee injury, starts in place of Nathan Hughes, who drops to the bench.

Watson, who entered the fray early against Scotland last week for the injured Elliot Daly – his first appearance since June – comes in on the right wing for Jack Nowell, who is also named among the replacements.

Daly has passed his concussion protocols and is fit to start on the left wing.

Victory will secure back-to-back Grand Slams for England and take their winning run to a tier one world record of 19, overhauling New Zealand’s run of 18 from 2015-16.

“It’s going to be quite an occasion in Dublin so we understand we have to be prepared emotionally, physically and mentally,” Jones said.

“We’re very excited ahead of what is a huge opportunity for the players. You sense the intensity has stepped up; it has in training.”

Ireland are second in the standings but things are so tight between them, Wales, France and Scotland that defeat could see them slip to fifth.

An Irish defeat combined with a Welsh win over France in Paris would also see Ireland drop out of the top four in the world rankings and consequently lose their top seeding for May’s draw for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

They also have a strong home record against England, having won six of the last nine meetings.

Despite these motivating factors, however, Jones described them yesterday as “having nothing to play for”.

“That means they have the courage to fail which frees them up mentally,” said the Australian.

“We are a little bit vulnerable because we have already been crowned champions and we had a big win against Scotland, so for us it’s getting the right mind-set for the game.” — Reuters