Preview: England v Italy

 

Joseph keeps his place in the midfield after an encouraging Six Nations debut in Cardiff, which he capped off with a scintillating solo try in the second half. 

 

Kruis is also set to win his second Six Nations cap after emulating his impressive November form in last Friday's victory.

 

The England bench also remains unchanged. Lancaster has resisted the temptation to recall Kyle Eastmond and Brad Barritt, after the duo returned to training this week.

 

Geoff Parling was expected to return to the match-day squad as second row cover, at the expense of Nick Easter or Tom Croft. But the British and Irish Lions lock has failed to recover from a knee injury.

 

Last week, England’s injury-depleted outfit surprised many by overpowering a settled Wales side at the Millennium Stadium but this Saturday they are expected to record a routine victory of the Azzurri.

 

Since Lancaster took over in 2012, England have finished second in every Six Nations championship and after losing last year’s title to Ireland on points difference, they will be looking to pile on the points at home against the wooden spoon holders.

 

Jacques Brunel has made four changes to the side that were beaten by Ireland last Saturday, as Italy look to register their first Test-match triumph over England.

 

Mauro Bergamasco is set to win his 101st cap, after he was recalled to replace the injured Alessandro Zanni in the back row. 

 

Alberto De Marchi returns to the front row at the expense of Matias Aguero while Joshua Furno drops to the bench to make way for former captain Marco Bortolami, who will play his 111th Test.

 

Bortolami and Bergamasco will pack down with two more centurions, as Martin Castrogiovanni will claim his 109th cap and captain Sergio Parisse will his 110th, with Italy’s starting pack boasting a grand total of 542 caps.

 

Michele Campagnaro’s injury has prompted Brunel to reshuffle his backline. Luca Morisi shifts to outside centre to replace Campagnaro, while Andrea Masi moves from fullback to inside centre.

 

Luke Mclean switches to fullback as Giovanbattista Venditti starts on the left wing.

 

The experienced Italians defended resolutely in Rome last Saturday and kept Ireland from crossing over for just over an hour, despite a distinct lack of possession.

 

But Ireland’s superior fitness proved the difference as they pulled away in the final quarter and England will be confident that they can also kick on in the closing stages, after their relentless second-half showing in Cardiff.

 

 

For England: After last weeks performance Jonathan Joseph will be one to keep an eye on with his open field running. A lot of eyes will also be on George Ford with people looking to the Bath man to wrestle the flyhalf berth away from the injured, and more conservative, Owen Farrell.

 

For Italy: There four centurions to keep an eye out in the Italian pack alone and one man who always looks to impress is Sergio Parisse. Martin Castrogiovanni is another one to look out for in the scrum as the tighthead will look to impose himself on the English pack.

 

 

Head to head: The English forwards have been their strength, stretching back to November where they were depended upon to keep the Red Roses afloat. With the Italians boasting 542 caps in their experienced pack, there is bound to be some fire works as these two sets of forwards go at it.

 

 

 

Prediction: Much has been made of the potential for a slip up by English coach Stuart Lancaster, but you just can't see the Italians upsetting one of the favourites at the home of rugby a couple months out from a World Cup they are hosting – England by 15.

 

England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 James Haskell, 5 George Kruis, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Joe Marler.

Replacements: 16 Tom Youngs, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Tom Croft, 20 Nick Easter, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Danny Cipriani, 23 Billy Twelvetrees.

 

Italy: 15 Luke Mclean, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Andrea Masi, 11 Giovambattista Venditti, 10 Kelly Haimona, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (captain), 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Francesco Minto, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 George Fabio Biagi, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Alberto De Marchi.

Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Joshua Furno, 20 Samuela Vunisa, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Giulio Bisegni.

 

Date: Saturday, February 14

Venue: Twickenham, London

Kick-off: 14.30 (14.30 GMT, 15.30 Italian time)

Expected weather: A cold day with a high of 9 and 20 percent chance of rain.

Referee: Johnny Lacey (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Pascal Gauzère (France), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)