Guinness Six Nations: England squad announced to play France
Eddie Jones has named his team to face France in their second Guinness Six Nations match.
England men's head coach Eddie Jones has named his team to face
France in their second Guinness Six Nations match on Sunday 10
February at Twickenham Stadium (KO 3pm live on ITV Sport).
Jones has made two changes to the starting XV that beat Ireland
last weekend with Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) selected in
the second row following the injury to Maro Itoje (Saracens) in
Dublin.
Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks) is named on the right wing in place of
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) who will be among the finishers on
Sunday. It will be Ashton's first start in the Six Nations since
2013.
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Joe Launchbury (Wasps) and Ben Moon
(Exeter Chiefs) are included as finishers for the first time this
tournament.
Eddie Jones said: "After the Ireland game we have had to refocus
and reset. Players have been very good and certainly by Sunday
we'll be at our best.
"The French are always an interesting side to play against. They
are full of talent, they have a lot of unpredictability so it's
hard to prepare tactically against them so we have had a real focus
on ourselves.
"It is unfortunate Maro is injured but he has been rehabbing well
so we are hopeful he will be back earlier than maybe first
predicted. We have got great depth in the squad so Joe Launchbury
and Courtney Lawes will fill his shoes very well.
"We have gone for Chris Ashton on the wing; we think he might sneak
us a try early in the game. Jack Nowell was brilliant against
Ireland and he'll play a significant role for us off the
bench.
"We can't wait to play in front of our supporters, I'm sure they
will be buoyant by the first round results and we promise we will
play a better game on Sunday."
England have won nine of the last 12 Six Nations games against
France with the Les Bleus only having managed one win at Twickenham
in the Six Nations era back in 2005.
England starting XV (555 caps)