Jones to field aggressive England against Italy
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England have called up lock Joe Launchbury to replace injured Lewis Ludlam for Sunday’s Six Nations Test against Italy as coach Eddie Jones says his side will “light up Rome” after their loss to Scotland.
Ludlam has a rib injury that will keep him out for a few weeks but Launchbury, who has only recently returned from long-term injury, will bring experience and quality around the maul, according to Jones.
“He is a good Test lock,” Jones told reporters on Tuesday.
“He’s an outstanding mauler and is a guy who is tough on the one-pass play around the ruck.”
There was a maiden call up for London Irish’s Tom Pearson, while Luke Northmore is unavailable due to a hamstring injury.
Courtney Lawes was included after missing the game against Scotland, with Jonny Hill set to remain with the squad to continue his recovery from injury.
Jones said his side have moved on from Saturday’s 20-17 defeat at Murrayfield having felt the players left at least 15 points on the field through poor execution on attack.
“We’ve drawn a line under that. Our aim is to make sure we light up Rome this week with a good, energetic performance,” he said.
“We need to be tidier in our execution, we weren’t great in that area. And that comes from hard work and good practice. I am sure we will be better against Italy.”
Jones also called on his side to show aggression and courage against an Italian side who have lost their past 33 Six Nations matches, including Sunday’s 10-37 defeat in France.
“That attitude of the players to have the courage to play like ‘new England’ must be there. To be aggressive in the way we attack and to be aggressive when we don’t have the ball,” he said.
Prepping for Italy on Sunday đź’Ş@O2 | #WearTheRose pic.twitter.com/2aDM9VLxQt
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 8, 2022
England squad:
Forwards: Alfie Barbeary, Jamie Blamire, Ollie Chessum, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Maro Itoje, Nick Isiekwe, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Tom Pearson, Bevan Rodd, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart.
Backs: Mark Atkinson, Elliot Daly, George Ford, George Furbank, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Louis Lynagh, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Jack Nowell, Raffi Quirke, Adam Radwan, Harry Randall, Henry Slade, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Ben Youngs.
