Nowell to start against Ireland

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs back Jack Nowell is set to win his third cap for England after he was today named in Stuart Lancaster's starting XV for the visit of Ireland in the Six Nations on Saturday (4pm).

Having featured in the away fixtures against France and Scotland already this season, the 20-year-old Cornishman will make his first-ever senior start at the home of English rugby on the right wing.

Nowell lines up in an unchanged back division for England, who have made two changes to their squad for the match at Twickenham Stadium.

Bath tight-head prop David Wilson replaces Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), who will require three months rest from rugby before further assessment on his neck, while the uncapped George Ford (Bath) comes on to the replacements’ bench for Brad Barritt.

Head Coach Lancaster said: “We are excited about being back at our home after two games on the road. The Twickenham crowd during the November internationals was superb and I’m sure it’ll be the same again on Saturday.

“We have been forced into one change and we wish Dan Cole all the best for his recovery. However, David Wilson is an experienced international with 31 caps and he showed in his three starts against Argentina last year what he can do. It's great to have George involved. He has settled in well and we are confident in his ability should he get his opportunity from the bench."

England (v Ireland, RBS 6 Nations, Twickenham Stadium, Saturday, 4pm, live on BBC Sport)

15 Mike Brown (Harlequins, 23 caps)
14 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 2 caps)
13 Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
12 Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 10 caps)
11 Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 3 caps)
10 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 21 caps)
9 Danny Care (Harlequins, 44 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 17 caps)
2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints, 52 caps)
3 David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 31 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (London Wasps, 16 caps)
5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 27 caps)
6 Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 25 caps)
7 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt, 22 caps)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 7 caps)

Replacements

16 Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps)
17 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 12 caps)
18 Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks, 3 caps)
19 Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, 7 caps)
20 Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, 17 caps)
21 Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)
22 George Ford (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
23 Alex Goode (Saracens, 15 caps)