Jones hands Te’o debut
ENGLAND COACH FRESHENS THINGS UP FOR ITALY CLASH
Ben Te’o was poised for his full debut, with Danny Care recalled to the starting side, as England coach Eddie Jones rang the changes for tomorrow’s Six Nations international against Italy at Twickenham.
Jones had promised something of a shake-up after defending champions England kept alive their hopes of back-to-back Grand Slams with a 21-16 win over Wales in Cardiff earlier this month.
New Zealand-born former rugby league favourite Te’o will start in midfield alongside Owen Farrell, with George Ford remaining at flyhalf.
All of Teo’s five previous caps have come off the bench but he now replaces the omitted Jonathan Joseph after impressing as a replacement this tournament against both France and Wales.
“Ben Te’o at 13 gives us another way of playing the game and we are excited about seeing him, George Ford and Owen Farrell play together in the midfield,” Jones said.
Scrumhalf Care, who has only made two starts under Australian boss Jones, comes off the bench, with regular No 9 Ben Youngs among the replacements.
“Ben Youngs has been outstanding for us at number nine, but Danny Care gets the starting jersey this week,” Jones said.
“For the first half he’ll give us a lot of speed and running at the base of the ruck as well as the scrum. Ben will then come on.”
There were two other changes to England’s XV.
Jonny May returns to the right wing in place of Anthony Watson, with flanker James Haskell starting in the back row.
Tomorrow’s match will be Haskell’s first Test start since last year’s victorious tour of Australia after seven months out of the 1st XV following foot surgery.
“Tom Wood has been great for us at seven and Jack Clifford did well against Wales but James Haskell will start,” said Jones.
On the bench, prop Mako Vunipola was selected for his first Test of 2017 after recovering from a knee injury.
Dylan Hartley remained captain despite the fine recent form of reserve hooker Jamie George
England have never lost to Italy and the Azzurri arrive in London on the back of a 63-10 thrashing by Ireland last time out.
The match will see Farrell, 25, lead England out as he reaches the landmark of 50 Test caps.
“I know the Twickenham crowd will give Owen Farrell a big cheer,” said Jones. “To reach 50 caps at such a young age is a fine achievement.” – AFP