George Ford is set to make his England Test debut against Ireland on Saturday in the third round of the RBS Six Nations.
The Bath fly-half has been named in the matchday 23 by Stuart Lancaster replaces Saracens Brad Barritt as England seek a win to remain in the hunt for their first European trophy since 2011.
Ford, 20, who moved to The Rec from Leicester last summer, has been in superb form this season overtaking Gloucester‘s Freddie Burns and Northampton’s Stephen Myler in the pecking order.
After representing England at U18s, U20s and Saxons level, the 2011 IRB Junior Player of the Year should be named on the bench as a cover for Owen Farrell.
In the other change to the squad, Ford’s teammate David Wilson returns from injury at tighthead and should start in the place of the injured Dan Cole with Sale‘s Henry Thomas on the bench.
Lancaster said: “We feel that the time is right to include George Ford in the matchday squad. A full three weeks of training has allowed him the chance to really understand the way we are developing our game and this time has been crucial in order for him to feel confident and ready in a key decision making and leadership position.
“We have successfully integrated and included many young players over the last two years and George is the next exciting talent to make his mark in the senior squad and we are a looking forward to see him develop over the next few months.
“Brad Barritt is obviously disappointed to miss out but he is still a key member of our squad and I am sure he will get further opportunities in the future. He hasn’t had much game time since his injury and will benefit from some time with Saracens over the next two weeks.”
England:
Forwards: David Attwood (Bath), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Henry Thomas (Sale), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), David Wilson (Bath), Tom Wood (Northampton), Tom Youngs (Leicester).
Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Luther Burrell (Northampton), Danny Care (Harlequins), Lee Dickson (Northampton), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath), Alex Goode (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester), Jack Nowell (Exeter), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester).
