VIDEO: Chris Robshaw returns to lead England against France

The Rugby Paper Team

9 years ago

Tags: Chris Robshaw, England, France, Rugby World Cup

Chris Robshaw will captain England against France for the second of their World Cup warm-up games in Paris on Satruday.
The flanker is one of 14 changes to the starting-line up made by head coach Stuart Lancaster with try-scorer Jonny May the only to retain his place from the team that beat the French 19-14 at Twickenham last Saturday.
Robshaw forms the back row alongside James Haskell (Wasps) and Billy Vunipola (Saracens) that started the final Six Nations match against France.
Joe Launchbury (Wasps) plays his first international in 12 months after returning from injury while there is also a place in the matchday 23 for the first time for Saracens hooker Jamie George.

Lancaster said: “Having reviewed last Saturday there were a lot of things we were pleased with considering it was the first game. There is now an opportunity for those not involved or who didn’t get much opportunity from the bench to put a marker down and build on that performance.
“France were very good last weekend and will be even stronger at home and this will be a big test but these guys have been working hard for the opportunity and are desperate to go out and perform. I’m delighted for Jamie George who hopefully gets his first cap and also Joe Launchbury, who has worked tirelessly and patiently to get back to fitness.
“It is a big couple of weeks ahead for all the 39-man squad with the game this weekend and some competitive training sessions to come this week and next as we look to narrow down the squad ahead of the World Cup.”
England: Mike Brown (Harlequins); Jack Nowell (Exeter), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Luther Burrell (Northampton), Jonny May (Gloucester); George Ford (Bath), Ben Youngs (Leicester); Joe Marler (Harlequins), Tom Youngs (Leicester), Dan Cole (Leicester); Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton); James Haskell (Wasps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, Capt.), Billy Vunipola (Saracens).
Replacements: Jamie George (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), David Wilson (Bath), Dave Attwood (Bath), Nick Easter (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Danny Cipriani (Sale), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester).
*Video courtesy of Nick Heath @rugbymedia.