England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster has named an entirely unchanged match-day 23 to take on Italy on Saturday at Twickenham.
Saracens lock George Kruis and Bath Rugby centre Jonathan Joseph, who scored the match-winning try in last Friday’s 21-16 win in Wales, are handed their first starts at the home of England Rugby.
Should he come off the bench, Harlequins No.8 Nick Easter will play his first game in four years at HQ in a Red Rose shirt while Sale fly-half Danny Cipriani‘s last appearance there was back in November 2008.
Lancaster said: “It’s always good to be able to name an unchanged team and to build some consistency.
“We did the same last year after France heading into the Scotland game.
“Italy are going to be fired up. They always are when they come to Twickenham, especially after last week’s loss to Ireland.
“We know what’s coming at us but we have prepared well and are looking forward to getting back home to our fantastic supporters.”
England: Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Luther Burrell, Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole; Dave Attwood, George Kruis; James Haskell, Chris Robshaw, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Kieran Brookes, Nick Easter, Tom Croft, Richard Wigglesworth, Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees.
Italy: L McLean; L Sarto, L Morisi, A Masi, G Venditti; K Haimona, E Gori; A De Marchi, L Ghiraldini, M Castrogiovanni; G Biagi, M Bortolami; F Minto, M Bergamasco, S Parisse (Capt.).
Replacements: A Manici, M Aguero, D Chistolini, J Furno (Newcastle Falcons), S Vunisa, G Palazzani, T Allan, G Bisegni
