The Scotsman

Daly replaces Feyi-waboso as England chase Six Nations title glory in Lyon

- Duncan Bech

George Ford continues at flyhalf as England keep faith with the side that stunned Ireland last weekend for their attempt at winning the Guinness Six Nations title.

Head coach Steve Borthwick has made only one enforced changed for the showdown with France in Lyon tomorrow evening by choosing Elliot Daly to replace the injured winger Immanuel Feyi-waboso.

Feyi-waboso self-reported concussion symptoms incurred against Ireland, prompting England to stand down their breakout player of the tournament.

Veteran Daly is restored to the left wing in his absence, with Tommy Freeman switching to the No 14 jersey worn by the 21-year Exeter Chief on his first internatio­nal start.

Manu Tuilagi makes his first appearance of this year’s championsh­ip after taking Daly's place on the bench in what will be his first Test since last autumn's World Cup bronze medal match, having missed the opening rounds because of a groin problem.

Ford has held off the challenge of Marcus Smith to retain the fly-half duties for the climax to the tournament.

Smith kicked the last-gasp drop goal that sank Ireland 23-22 last Saturday and made a telling contributi­on off the bench, bring extra zip to England's attack after Ford had pulled the strings effectivel­y earlier on.

A second change among the replacemen­ts sees Ethan Roots replace calf injury victim Chandler Cunningham­south.

England will win the title if Ireland lose to Scotland at the Aviva Stadium without claiming a bonus point and they defeat France while securing a bonus point.

"After such a hard-fought win against Ireland last week, we realise how important it is to back that performanc­e up with another similar display in Lyon on Saturday," Borthwick said.

"France remain one of the very top sides in the world and will pose a great challenge for us.

"We've had a great preparatio­n so far this week and there is a genuine sense of anticipati­on and determinat­ion around the camp as we head to what will be an exciting final weekend."

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