Chiefs trio in England starting line-up

By Mark Stevens
11/2/21

Three Exeter Chiefs players have been named in England’s starting line-up to play Italy in the Guinness Six Nations this weekend.

Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jonny Hill and Henry Slade are all included as Eddie Jones’ side look to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Scotland with victory over the Azzurri at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday (2.15pm).

Hooker Cowan-Dickie is part of a new-look front-row which sees Mako Vunipola and Kyle Sinckler restored at props, while Northampton’s Courtney Lawes comes into the back-row in place of Mark Wilson.

Behind the scrum, George Ford is brought back in at fly-half to form an all-Leicester Tigers half-back pairing with Youngs. His inclusion means skipper Owen Farrell moves to the midfield alongside Slade.

Jones said: “As always, we’ve picked what we think is our strongest 23 to try and win the game. We’re pleased to have Mako and Kyle back into the team and we’ve made some changes to our starting XV, but our finishers are just as important to our game plan. We look at the whole 80 minutes.

“We’ve trained very well this week, I’ve been very pleased with the players’ attitudes and work-rate. We’re hoping to put on a good performance on Saturday and kick on with our Guinness Six Nations campaign.”

England v Italy is live on ITV 1 and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.

England Team to face Italy

15. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 48 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 47 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 35 caps)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, capt, 89 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 62 caps)
10. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 73 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 105 caps)
1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 63 caps)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 27 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 40 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 44 caps)
5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 86 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 29 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 57 caps)

16. Jamie George (Saracens, 55 caps)
17. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 24 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)
19. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 17 caps)
20. Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 9 caps)
21. Jack Willis (Wasps, 2 caps)
22. Dan Robson (Wasps, 8 caps)
23. Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 4 caps)