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Six Nations | Group Stage
Feb 14, 2016 at 2pm UK
 
Italy
9-40
England
FT
Ford (26'), Joseph (53', 58', 71'), Farrell (75')

England make three changes for Six Nations clash against Italy

England head coach Eddie Jones makes three changes for Sunday's Six Nations clash against Italy, introducing Mako Vunipola, Courtney Lawes and Ben Youngs.

England head coach Eddie Jones has made three changes to his team for Sunday's Six Nations match against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Mako Vunipola, Courtney Lawes and Ben Youngs have entered the fold, which has resulted in Joe Marler, Joe Launchbury and Danny Care dropping to the bench.

In addition, Maro Itoje and Paul Hill have an opportunity to earn their first England caps as they are named among the replacements.

As a result of the duo's inclusion, Ollie Devoto has dropped out of the matchday squad.

"Mako, Ben and Courtney have been pushing hard for selection during training, but they also fit the gameplan we want to implement against Italy," Jones told englandrugby.com. "Danny, Joe Marler and Joe Launchbury will all have significant roles to play to finish the game.

"It has been an intense week of training and I am pleased with how the group have responded to some of the things we've asked them to do. Maro has consistently impressed me this week and, together with his excellent club form, has deserved his call up to the match day squad.

"We are confident we can go to Rome and win, but we're in no doubt of the challenge we face. Italy took France very close last weekend in Paris so they'll be fired up."

England won their round-one fixture against Scotland 15-9 at Murrayfield last weekend.

England team to play Italy:

1 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 28 caps), 2 Dylan Hartley (captain, Northampton Saints, 67 caps), 3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 57 caps), 4 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 43 caps), 5 George Kruis (Saracens, 11 caps), 6 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, 44 caps), 7 James Haskell (Wasps, 63 caps), 8 Billy Vunipola (vice captain, Saracens, 22 caps), 9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 53 caps), 10 George Ford (Bath Rugby, 18 caps), 11 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 11 caps), 12 Owen Farrell (vice captain, Saracens, 36 caps), 13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 17 caps), 14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 16 caps), 15 Mike Brown (vice captain, Harlequins, 44 caps)

Replacements: 16 Jamie George (Saracens, 4 caps), 17 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 38 caps), 18 Paul Hill (Northampton Saints, uncapped), 19 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 29 caps), 20 Maro Itoje (Saracens, uncapped), 21 Jack Clifford (Harlequins, 1 cap), 22 Danny Care (Harlequins, 54 caps), 23 Alex Goode (Saracens, 19 caps)

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Eddie Jones, the new England Rugby head coach, poses at Twickenham Stadium on November 20, 2015
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