Veteran Cole returns as Jones set to make changes for France

ENGLAND will make at least three changes to their matchday 23 against France at Twickenham after Ellis Genge and Harry Williams were dropped.

The replacement props completed cameo appearances in the final quarter of Saturday’s 3220 victory over Ireland but have been excluded from the 25-man squad retained to step up preparations for the round two fixture.

Genge’s place at loosehead has been taken by Ben Moon, who excelled during the autumn, while Williams has lost out to veteran tighthead Dan Cole.

Moon and Cole are known for their expertise at the scrum, which will be fully tested by France’s heavyweight tight five to potentially explain their recall by Eddie Jones.

If he makes an appearance on the pitch, Cole will be winning his first cap since being dropped after last year’s Six Nations.

Maro Itoje’s knee injury means England must make one enforced change in the second row and a new option in the back five mix is Brad Shields, who has recovered from a side strain to take Itoje’s spot in the 25.

Potentially making his Six Nations debut will be giant Bath wing Joe Cokanasiga, who has displaced Mike Brown in the final cut before Jones names his starting XV on Friday.

Also missing is Ben Te’o with the Worcester centre losing out to Manu Tuilagi.

England have yet to set a date for Dylan Hartley’s return from his knee injury despite the Northampton hooker reporting to the squad’s Surrey base to continue his rehabilitation. He has not played since December 21 because of the issue and the co-captain had been pencilled in for a return in the round three match against Wales at the earliest.

Hartley missed the standout performance and result of the Jones era after Ireland were dismantled 32-20 to launch England’s Six Nations title quest in stunning fashion on Saturday.

England squad: Forwards: D Cole (Leicester Tigers), L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), T Curry (Sale Sharks), J George (Saracens), N Hughes (Wasps), G Kruis (Saracens), J Launchbury (Wasps), C Lawes (Northampton Saints), B Moon (Exeter Chiefs), B Shields (Wasps), K Sinckler (Harlequins), B Vunipola (Saracens), M Vunipola (Saracens), M Wilson (Newcastle Falcons). Backs: C Ashton (Sale Sharks), J Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), E Daly (Wasps), O Farrell (Saracens, capt), G Ford (Leicester Tigers), J May (Leicester Tigers), J Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), D Robson (Wasps), H Slade (Exeter Chiefs), M Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers).