Nowell set to face the French

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs star Jack Nowell will win his ninth international cap when he lines-up in England's starting XV for Saturday's against France at the Stade de France (8pm BST, live on Sky Sports 1 HD).

The Cornishman is one of 14 changes to the starting-line up with try-scorer Jonny May (Gloucester) retained from the team that beat France 19-14 in the QBE International at Twickenham Stadium last Saturday.

Returning to lead the side is Harlequins forward Chris Robshaw, who forms the back row alongside James Haskell (Wasps) and Billy Vunipola (Saracens) that started the final RBS 6 Nations against France, with 12 of that XV lining up in Paris.

Joe Launchbury (Wasps) plays his first international in 12 months after returning from injury, while there is also a place in the matchday 23 for the first time for Saracens hooker Jamie George.

There is, however, no place for Nowell's Exeter club-mates Geoff Parling, Henry Slade and Luke Cowan-Dickie, all of whom featured in last weekend's game at Rugby HQ.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: "Having reviewed last Saturday there were a lot of things we were pleased with considering it was the first game. There is now an opportunity for those not involved or who didn't get much opportunity from the bench to put a marker down and build on that performance.

"France were very good last weekend and will be even stronger at home and this will be a big test but these guys have been working hard for the opportunity and are desperate to go out and perform. I'm delighted for Jamie George who hopefully gets his first cap and also Joe Launchbury, who has worked tirelessly and patiently to get back to fitness.

"It is a big couple of weeks ahead for all the 39-man squad with the game this weekend and some competitive training sessions to come this week and next as we look to narrow down the squad ahead of the World Cup."

England (v France, Stade de France, 8pm BST, Saturday August 22)

15 Mike Brown (Harlequins, 37 caps)
14 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 8 caps)
13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
12 Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints, 12 caps)
11 Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 14 caps)
10 George Ford (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 47 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 31 caps)
2 Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 22 caps)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 50 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 22 caps)
5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 38 caps)
6 James Haskell (Wasps, 59 caps)
7 Chris Robshaw (capt, Harlequins, 37 caps)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 18 caps)

Replacements

16 Jamie George (Saracens, uncapped)
17 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 21 caps)
18 David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 42 caps)
19 Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)
20 Nick Easter (Harlequins, 51 caps)
21 Danny Care (Harlequins, 51 caps)
22 Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks, 13 caps)
23 Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 21 caps)