Chiefs duo to face Ireland

By Mike Smith

19/11/20

Eddie Jones has named his side for England’s Quilter International against Ireland this weekend, which will include Exeter Chiefs stars Henry Slade and Jonny Hill.

Henry Slade keeps his place in the starting 15, after scoring in England clash with Georgia last weekend, and Jonny Hill returns to the squad looking to build on his impressive debut against Italy, in the final round of the 2020 Six Nations in Rome last month.

England will host Ireland at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday (3pm KO) as they look to build on their winning start to the Autumn Nations Cup – after beating Georgia 40-0 in their opening match.

Owen Farrell will captain the side at fly half. Ollie Lawrence will make his second start for England at outside centre, with Henry Slade at inside centre.

The team’s most-capped player, Ben Youngs, will play at scrum half, while Jonathan Joseph and Jonny May are on the wing. Elliot Daly will play at full back.

Jamie George, who scored a hat-trick of tries against Georgia, is at hooker with Mako Vunipola (loose-head prop) and Kyle Sinckler (tight-head prop) beside him in the front row.

Maro Itoje moves to lock, joining Joe Launchbury, to complete the tight five.

Tom Curry (blindside) and Sam Underhill (openside) return to the starting line up as flankers, with Billy Vunipola making up the back row at number 8.

George Ford returns from injury and is named as a finisher along with last weekend’s debutant Max Malins and try-scorer Dan Robson. Tom Dunn, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jonny Hill and Will Stuart complete the bench.

Jones said: “I’ve picked the strongest team possible for the most important game of our season.

“We have the highest respect for the Ireland and their coach Andy Farrell. They’ve had good preparation with two wins and a dominant display against Wales, and we will need to be at our best on Saturday.

“We’ve trained well this week, we’re expecting a tough, physical game against Ireland and we’ve reflected that in our sessions. We’ll look to lift our performance even higher and are looking forward to a really good game of rugby.”

England will then play their final group game in Llanelli, against hosts Wales, at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday 28 November (4pm KO). Their final Quilter International, a tournament placing game, will be played at Twickenham on Sunday 6 December (2pm KO).

England v Ireland is live on Amazon Prime and Channel 4.

ENGLAND XV STARTERS
15. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 44 caps)
14. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 52 caps)
13. Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, 2 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 31 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 58 caps)
10. Owen Farrell (c) (Saracens, 85 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 101 caps)
1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 61 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 51 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 37 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 40 caps)
5. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 66 caps)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 25 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 19 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 53 caps)

FINISHERS
16. Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)
17. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 20 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 5 caps)
19. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap)
20. Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 5 caps)
21. Dan Robson (Wasps, 4 caps)
22. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 69 caps)
23. Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 1 cap)