England call on Itoje and Marler to face Ireland

The Rugby Paper Team

9 years ago

Tags: England, Ireland, Joe Marler, Maro Itoje, Six Nations

Maro Itoje and Joe Marler will start in England’s pack as Eddie Jones makes two changes to his team to take on Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.
Quins loosehead Marler and Saracens lock Itoje are both promoted from the bench with Mako Vunipola named as a replacement and Joe Launchbury missing out all together through injury.
That means Courtney Lawes will cover second row on the bench after being called back to training last night.
The other change to the match day squad see Elliot Daly in line for his Test debut from the bench.
England, who started their Six Nations with away wins in Scotland (15-9) and Italy (40-9), will be playing their first game at HQ under new head coach Jones.
He said: “I have been pleased with the attitude the squad have shown during a comprehensive two weeks of training. Everyone is pushing hard to be in contention so there were some tight calls on selection.
“Joe Marler made a big impact off the bench in Rome and will start at loose-head with Mako Vunipola finishing the game. Joe Launchbury is unlucky to miss out through injury; Maro Itoje is selected as a result and we’re pleased for him.
“Elliot Daly has worked hard this week and is now ready for a place in the 23. He can provide cover in several positions in the back line.
“Playing our first game at Twickenham after two away fixtures will be huge for us. We’re determined to put in a strong performance against a clever Irish side who are the benchmark of European rugby.”
England: Mike Brown (Harlequins); Anthony Watson (Bath), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Jack Nowell (Exeter); George Ford (Bath), Ben Youngs (Leicester); Joe Marler (Harlequins), Dylan Hartley (Northampton, Capt.), Dan Cole (Leicester); Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens); Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), James Haskell (Wasps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Replacements: Jamie George (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Paul Hill (Northampton), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Alex Goode (Saracens)