England turn to Ford at fly-half for Italy clash
England have turned to George Ford to ignite their Guinness Six Nations title defence after restoring him at fly-half and moving Owen Farrell to inside centre for Saturday’s clash with Italy.
Ford was dropped for the Calcutta Cup debacle against Scotlandbutisreinstatedwith Eddie Jones resisting calls to axe Farrell, who disappointed in the 11-6 defeat that opened their Championship.
Ollie Lawrence has been jettisoned from the 23 altogether to make room for Farrelldespitehavingtowaituntil the 63rd minute to make his first carry against the Scots.
Otherwisethebacklineremainsunchangedandisidentical to the one fielded for the Autumn Nations Cup final, when France were edged in sudden death.
Joneshasperformedmore extensive surgery up-front where props Kyle Sinckler and Mako Vunipola return from suspension and injury respectively, displacing Will Stuart and Ellis Genge to the bench. They start as part of an all-newfrontrowthatincludes hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie with Jamie George surprisingly demoted to the replacements.
The second row partnership of Maro Itoje and Jonny Hill are retained, but Courtney Lawes is chosen at blindside flanker in place of Mark Wilson.
Jones has opted for a sixtwo split on the bench with Jack Willis joining flanker Ben Earl and lock Charlie Ewels among the reinforcements.
“As always, we’ve picked what we think is our strongest23totryandwinthegame,” Jones said.
“We’re pleased to have MakoandKylebackintotheteam andwe’vemadesomechanges to our starting XV, but our finishers are just as important to our game plan. We look at the whole 80 minutes.
“We’ve trained very well this week, I’ve been very pleased with the players’ attitudes and work-rate.
“We’re hoping to put on a good performance and kick on with our Six Nations campaign.”
Vunipola has declared himself fit and ready to go with England’s options at prop given a much-needed boost.
Vunipola said: “I have been training with the staff here and I am happy with how I have recovered. The Achilles is good to go. I trained fully and in terms of match fitness still obviously a bit to get there, but I feel fit and ready to go out there if called upon.”