Back Row
6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
7. Ben Earl (Saracens)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
After a Man of the Match performance against Wales at Twickenham, Saracens flanker Ben Earl returns to the starting line-up for England. We’ve picked Earl to make only his second ever start for his country, with his Sarries teammate Billy Vunipola once again packing down the number eight spot. Courtney Lawes gets our pick to once again run out on the blindside, with Jack Willis on the bench as versatile back-row cover.
REPLACEMENTS
We have opted for a five-three split in terms of the replacements, with Jamie George’s Saracens understudy Theo Dan starting off the substitutes. He’s joined by Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler as front row cover, with Will Stuart’s impressive run of form keeping Sinckler out of his regularly occupied three jersey.
David Ribbans and Jack Willis occupy the remaining slots in the forwards, with the returning Alex Mitchell ready to make his mark as scrum half cover. We’ve gone with Mitchell over Danny Care, yet Care’s Harlequin’s halfback partner Marcus Smith adds an option at replacement fly half. Rounding off the subs bench is Henry Arundell, who is dropped down after running out to start last weekend against Wales.
16. Theo Dan (Saracens)
17. Joe Marler (Harlequins)
18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)
19. David Ribbans (Northampton Saints)
20. Jack Willis (Toulouse)
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
23. Henry Arundell (Racing 92)
