Eddie Jones wields a heavy axe
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has named his England team to face Italy in the Six Nations this weekend.
Jones has made six changes to his England team as they look to bounce back in their Round Two clash in Rome.
Tom Curry (openside flank) will continue to captain the side.
Jamie George (hooker) and Will Stuart (tighthead prop) start in the front row, alongside Ellis Genge at loosehead prop.
Charlie Ewels and Nick Isiekwe are named at lock.
Maro Itoje moves to blindside flank and Alex Dombrandt is at No.8.
Harry Randall will start at scrumhalf, Marcus Smith is at flyhalf with Jack Nowell (left) and Max Malins (right) on the wings.
Joe Marchant is at outside centre, Henry Slade is at inside centre and Freddie Steward is fullback.
Ben Youngs could become the joint most-capped England men’s player of all time, alongside Jason Leonard, after being named as a replacement.
Youngs made his debut against Scotland in March 2010 and is in line to add to his 113 caps on Sunday.
Ollie Chessum could also make his England debut this weekend, and is joined by Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Sam Simmonds, George Ford and Elliot Daly on the bench.
Genge, Slade and Cowan-Dickie are also named as vice captains.
“We’ve set ourselves the target of playing really well and lighting up Rome,” Jones said.
“We’ve made some changes and this is the best side to face Italy.
“We want to start fast and take the game to them.
“They can be a dangerous team and have some very good players in the likes of Garbisi, Negri and Lamaro.
“It’s been a difficult week, but the players have bounced back well, trained hard and are ready to put on a good performance on Sunday.”
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Max Malins, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Jack Nowell, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Alex Dombrandt, 7 Tom Curry (captain), 6 Maro Itoje, 5 Nick Isiekwe, 4 Charlie Ewels, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 George Ford, 23 Elliot Daly.
Date: Sunday, February 13
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Kick-off: 16.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace; TBC
TMO: Brian MacNeice
