Jones selects Itoje for first England start
by Agency Staff,
2016-02-26 05:00:00.0
LONDON — Saracens’ rising star Maro Itoje is set to make his first England start after being named in coach Eddie Jones’s run-on side to face Ireland in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday.
The 21-year-old lock came into the starting XV, having made his debut off the bench in England’s 40-9 win over Italy, after Joe Launchbury was ruled out with a hamstring problem.
Courtney Lawes, who started against Italy with Launchbury on the bench, is now among the replacements after being added to the squad following the Wasps’ second-row injury.
The only other change to the England side that kicked-off the match in Rome last time out sees Harlequins loosehead prop Joe Marler replace Mako Vunipola.
Itoje impressed against the Azzurri after coming on with a powerful display in the closing 28 minutes that saw England run in several tries against a tiring defence. He replaced Chris Robshaw at blindside flanker, but Itoje has spent most of his career at lock — the position in which he captained England to victory during the 2014 World Junior Championships.
Behind the scrum, highly regarded uncapped Wasps centre Elliot Daly is on the bench after concussion ruled out midfield rival Ollie Devoto.
"Daly has worked hard and is now ready for a place in the 23. He can provide cover in several positions in the back line," Jones said. "Joe Marler made a big impact off the bench in Rome and will start at loosehead with Mako Vunipola finishing the game," he said.
England have won their first two matches under Jones, beginning with victory away to Scotland, and top the Six Nations table on points difference from France, who play Wales in Cardiff on Friday.
Saturday’s match against defending Six Nations champions Ireland will be England’s first at Twickenham since a 33-13 defeat by Australia last October saw them become the first host nation to be knocked out of the World Cup at the initial group stage.
Ireland, beset by injuries, have yet to win in this Six Nations after drawing with Wales 16-16 and losing 10-9 to France last time out.
Nevertheless, the Irish are still set to provide England with their toughest test yet under Jones and the Australian said: "Playing our first game at Twickenham after two away fixtures will be huge for us.
"We’re determined to put in a strong performance against a clever Irish side who are the benchmark of European rugby," he said.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt was due to name his side later on Thursday.
AFP
RARING TO GO: Lock Maro Itoje, left, at an England training session this week with teammate James Haskell. The pair are in the starting XV for Friday’s Six Nations match against champions Ireland at Twickenham. Picture: REUTERS
LONDON — Saracens’ rising star Maro Itoje is set to make his first England start after being named in coach Eddie Jones’s run-on side to face Ireland in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday.
The 21-year-old lock came into the starting XV, having made his debut off the bench in England’s 40-9 win over Italy, after Joe Launchbury was ruled out with a hamstring problem.
Courtney Lawes, who started against Italy with Launchbury on the bench, is now among the replacements after being added to the squad following the Wasps’ second-row injury.
The only other change to the England side that kicked-off the match in Rome last time out sees Harlequins loosehead prop Joe Marler replace Mako Vunipola.
Itoje impressed against the Azzurri after coming on with a powerful display in the closing 28 minutes that saw England run in several tries against a tiring defence. He replaced Chris Robshaw at blindside flanker, but Itoje has spent most of his career at lock — the position in which he captained England to victory during the 2014 World Junior Championships.
Behind the scrum, highly regarded uncapped Wasps centre Elliot Daly is on the bench after concussion ruled out midfield rival Ollie Devoto.
"Daly has worked hard and is now ready for a place in the 23. He can provide cover in several positions in the back line," Jones said. "Joe Marler made a big impact off the bench in Rome and will start at loosehead with Mako Vunipola finishing the game," he said.
England have won their first two matches under Jones, beginning with victory away to Scotland, and top the Six Nations table on points difference from France, who play Wales in Cardiff on Friday.
Saturday’s match against defending Six Nations champions Ireland will be England’s first at Twickenham since a 33-13 defeat by Australia last October saw them become the first host nation to be knocked out of the World Cup at the initial group stage.
Ireland, beset by injuries, have yet to win in this Six Nations after drawing with Wales 16-16 and losing 10-9 to France last time out.
Nevertheless, the Irish are still set to provide England with their toughest test yet under Jones and the Australian said: "Playing our first game at Twickenham after two away fixtures will be huge for us.
"We’re determined to put in a strong performance against a clever Irish side who are the benchmark of European rugby," he said.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt was due to name his side later on Thursday.
AFP
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