England spring surprise as Furbank gets the call

ENGLAND have sprung a surprise by naming Northampton debutant George Furbank at full-back for tomorrow’s Guinness Six Nations opener against France in Paris.

Furbank has been thrust into the starting XV as part of a reshuffled back three after Anthony Watson withdrew from contention on Thursday because of a calf injury.

The 23-year-old has been highly influential in Saints’ superb start to the Gallagher Premiership with his speed, running lines and vision catching the eye of Eddie Jones.

“We’ve picked a strong forward pack which is part of the England way and a really exciting backline with young George Furbank playing his first Test,” England coach Jones said.

“It has been a massively exciting week for us. It’s the start of the Six Nations, the best rugby tournament in the world. We have had a great preparation in Portugal with a quality training week this week.

PARIS 3pm, tomorrow FRANCE v ENGLAND

“France can expect absolute brutality from England, we are going to go out there to make sure they understand what Test rugby is.”

France: A Bouthier (Montpellier); T Thomas (Racing 92), V Vakatawa (Racing 92), G Fickou (Stade Francais), D Penaud (Clermont Auvergne); R Ntamack (Toulouse), A Dupont (Toulouse); C Baille (Toulouse), J Marchand (Toulouse), M Haouas (Montpellier), B Le Roux (Racing 92), P Willemse (Montpellier), F Cros (Toulouse), C Ollivon (Toulon, capt), G Alldritt (La Rochelle). Reps: P Mauvaka (Toulouse), J Poirot (BordeauxBegles), D Bamba (Lyon), B Palu (Racing 92), C Woki (Bordeaux-Begles), B Serin (Toulon), M Jalibert (Bordeaux-Begles), V Rattez (La Rochelle). England: G Furbank (Northampton), J May (Leicester), M Tuilagi (Leicester), O Farrell (Saracens, capt), E Daly (Saracens), G Ford (Leicester), B Youngs (Leicester), J Marler (Harlequins), J George (Saracens), K Sinckler (Harlequins), M Itoje (Saracens), C Ewels (Bath), C Lawes (Northampton), S Underhill (Bath), T Curry (Sale). Reps: L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), E Genge (Leicester), W Stuart (Bath), G Kruis (Saracens), L Ludlam (Northampton), W Heinz (Gloucester), O Devoto (Exeter), J Joseph (Bath).

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales).