Te’o and Care to start for England against Italy

LONDON: 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 the Six Nations rugby match 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, who has impressed off the bench this tournament, will start in midfield alongside Owen Farrell, who will win his 50th cap this weekend.

Elliot Daly – who scored the late match-winning try against Wales – remains on the wing after speculation he might have been moved to a centre berth, with George Ford staying at fly-half.

Scrum-half Care, who has only made two starts under Australian boss Jones – yet to lose a match as England coach – comes off the bench, with regular No. 9 Ben Youngs among the replacements.

There were two other changes to England’s XV announced yesterday.

Jonny May returned to the right wing in place of Anthony Watson, with flanker James Haskell given a starting position in the back row.

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, who are on a 16-match winning streak, have never lost to Italy and the Azzurri arrive in London on the back of a 63-10 thrashing by Ireland last time out. — AFP