England have made five changes ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash against Italy at Twickenham, with Joe Cokanasiga making his first Six Nations start.
Cokanasiga gets the nod on the wing as Eddie Jones names a huge backline which includes Ben Te’o at inside centre and Manu Tuilagi shifted to No.13.
In the forwards Ellis Genge starts at loose-head while Joe Launchbury comes in for the injured Courtney Lawes and Brad Shields starts ahead of Mark Wilson at blindside.
Dan Robson continues on the bench where he is joined by Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Moon, Dan Cole, Nathan Hughes, Wilson, George Ford and Henry Slade.
Maro Itoje misses out after suffering a knee injury in training during the week while Jack Nowell is still recovering from a stinger sustained in the round three loss to Wales.
“We have had a good preparation ahead of Italy with a great week in Oxford where we competed against Georgia for two days,” said Jones.
“Players have had a good break and have come back into camp re-energised and refocused for what is an important game for us.
“Italy is a bit of an unknown quantity but when Conor [O’Shea – the Italy head coach] allows them to play rugby they play well. They have played terrific games in the Six Nations. They are fitter, physically stay in the contest a lot longer and they are quite unpredictable in the way they attack.
“We expect Italy to throw the ball around a bit so we are going to have to defend very well against their unpredictability and when we have got the ball, we have to use it wisely.
“We are looking forward to getting back to Twickenham. We haven’t played there since the France game so it will be nice to play in front of our home crowd.”
England Starting XV
Elliot Daly, Joe Cokanasiga, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Te’o, Jonny May, Owen Farrell (captain), Ben Youngs; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Joe Launchbury, George Kruis, Brad Shields, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola
Replacements
Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Moon, Dan Cole, Nathan Hughes, Mark Wilson, Dan Robson, George Ford, Henry Slade