Chiefs duo to face Italy

Picture: Getty Images Picture: Getty Images


Exeter Chiefs winger Jack Nowell will line-up in an unchanged England starting line-up in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico.

The XV who beat Wales at Twickenham are retained while there is just one change on the bench where Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers) replaces Alex Goode (Saracens).

Nowell's Exeter team-mate, Tom Johnson, is again included on the bench for the trip to Rome.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “It’s great to be able to name an unchanged XV and we have been able to achieve consistency of selection from a very competitive squad this campaign.

“The Wales result was very significant for us but we need to finish the tournament well in Rome. We have had a tight turnaround and the key this week has been to manage the players’ recovery and get them in the best shape for what will be a tough match against Italy.”

England (v Italy, RBS 6 Nations, Stadio Olimpico, Saturday, 12.30pm GMT, live on BBC Sport)

15 Mike Brown (Harlequins, 25 caps)
14 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 4 caps)
13 Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
12 Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 12 caps)
11 Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 5 caps)
10 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 23 caps)
9 Danny Care (Harlequins, 46 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 19 caps)
2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints, 54 caps)
3 David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 33 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (London Wasps, 18 caps)
5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 29 caps)
6 Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 27 caps)
7 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt, 24 caps)
8 Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, 19 caps)

Replacements

16 Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)
17 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 14 caps)
18 Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
19 Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)
20 Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs, 6 caps)
21 Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints, 15 caps)
22 George Ford (Bath Rugby, 1 cap)
23 Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps)

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