England have selected Danny Care and Joe Marler at scrum-half and loosehead prop respectively ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Scotland.
Care has been chosen in the place of Ben Youngs while Joe Marler is preferred to Mako Vunipola.
Back rower Jack Clifford, prop Paul Hill and back Ollie Devoto are all in line to make their debuts after being named on the bench at Murrayfield.
Twitter: The wait is over….here is the side that will face @Scotlandteam on Saturday. More here: https://t.co/f0IzgKogtE
https://t.co/4TZH1VfO1R (@EnglandRugby)
Eddie Jones, who succeeded Stuart Lancaster following an embarassing world cup, said;
There were some tight calls on selection, but we have picked a match-day squad with a blend of experience and youth.
The boys have worked hard since coming into camp to understand how I want the team to play going forward, We are confident we can go to Edinburgh and win, but we’re in no doubt it will be a huge challenge. Playing at Murrayfield in front of a passionate Scottish crowd will be a real test for this team but one I know we can rise to.
Dylan Hartley captains a relatively experienced side, looking to retain the Calcutta having held it since 2009, with 512 caps amongst them.
George Ford will play at fly half with Owen Farrell at outside centre in what will be their second test start alongside each other.
Chris Robshaw has been shifted across to blindside flanker with James Haskell taking the vacated openside shirt.
Inform players Maro Itoje and Elliot Daly, who play at lock/back row and centre respectively, have been named as travelling reserves despite many believing the pair had done enough to gain a place in the side.
Twitter: Eddie: “I know you guys (the media) love them (@maroitoje & @elliotdaly) – but they’ll get picked when they are ready to play Test rugby.”
England: Mike Brown, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Jack Nowell, George Ford, Danny Care; Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley (captain), Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, George Kruis, Chris Robshaw, James Haskell and Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Paul Hill, Courtney Lawes, Jack Clifford, Ben Youngs, Alex Goode and Ollie Devoto.
