adminLondon. — Billy Vunipola and Anthony Watson have been recalled into England’s starting side for their bid to complete back-to-back rugby Grand Slams when they face Ireland in Dublin tomorrow.
Powerhouse No. 8 Vunipola starts in place of Nathan Hughes, with Watson coming in for Jack Nowell on the right wing in a straight swap between starting XV and bench after England thrashed Scotland 61-21 at Twickenham last weekend to retain the Six Nations title.
Elliot Daly kept his place on the left wing in the team named by coach Eddie Jones yesterday, having passed the required medical checks after he was forced off early against Scotland with suspected concussion.
Victory at Lansdowne Road on Saturday would see England set a new record of 19 successive Test victories by a ‘tier one’ or leading rugby union nation.
Ireland were due to name their team late yesterday.
England (15-1)
Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Billy Vunipola, James Haskell, Maro Itoje; Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury; Dan Cole, Dylan Hartley (capt), Joe Marler
Replacements: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Kyle Sinckler, Tom Wood, Nathan Hughes, Danny Care, Ben Te’o, Jack Nowell. — AFP.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter