| Venue: Stade de France Date: Saturday, 19 March Kick-off: 20:00 GMT |
| Protection: Dwell commentary on BBC Radio 5 Dwell; stay textual content commentary on the BBC Sport web site & app. |
George Furbank begins at full-back in a shock tactical change for England’s final-round Six Nations assembly with title favourites France on Saturday.
Leicester’s Freddie Steward, who has began at 15 for England’s earlier 4 matches, swaps to the wing.
Sam Underhill comes into the again row instead of the injured Tom Curry.
Elsewhere Nick Isiekwe is within the second row for the suspended Charlie Ewels, whereas the skilled Ben Youngs replaces Harry Randall at scrum-half.
Will Stuart begins at tighthead prop as Kyle Sinckler, who handed the return-to-play protocol after a head knock in final weekend’s defeat by Eire, is chosen on the bench.
England: Furbank; Steward, Marchant, Slade, Nowell; Smith, Youngs; Genge, George, Stuart, Itoje, Isiekwe, Lawes, Underhill, Simmonds.
Replacements:, Marler, Dolly, Sinckler, Chessum, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford, Daly
England are trying to keep away from a second successive fifth-place end within the Championship, with defeat doubtlessly leaving solely Italy under them within the desk.
Nevertheless captain Courtney Lawes believes England can upset the percentages and wreck the hosts’ get together.
“You should utilize that hostility we’re going to be beneath to energise your self, inspire your self and use it as a optimistic,” he advised BBC Radio 5 Dwell.
“We’ve put collectively a very good plan, one we’re all assured in. We simply have to go there and execute it and if we do, we’ll give ourselves a very good probability to win this recreation.
“I 100% consider we’ve the gamers and gameplan to win.”
France, who’re chasing a primary Grand Slam since 2010, have made only one change to the beginning XV that beat Wales final day out, with wing Damian Penaud coming again in after Covid.
Furbank call-up to counter France kicking recreation – Jones
Furbank made his Take a look at debut as beginning full-back in England’s final journey to Paris again in February 2020, however has been unable to pin down a daily beginning spot since that 24-17 defeat.
He has made solely one other 4 England appearances, most not too long ago showing as a stand-in fly-half in November’s win over Tonga after sickness and damage put Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith out of rivalry.
Head coach Eddie Jones mentioned the Northampton again’s surprising promotion is meant to counteract France’s technique.
The hosts have kicked for extra metres than every other staff on this season’s match as they try and put their harmful backline inside vary of the tryline.
“There isn’t any higher full-back in England at returning these lengthy kicks and his capacity to kick longer than [France full-back Melvyn] Jaminet,” Jones mentioned as he defined Furbank’s inclusion to BBC Radio 5 Dwell.
“Freddie on the wing offers us a possible aerial benefit in that space so we really feel that’s the greatest steadiness for the staff this week.”
Jones additionally hoped Bristol 9 Randall, who began the matches towards Italy, Wales and Eire, might come off the bench to search out area as the sport opens up late on.
“We really feel that Harry’s tempo on the finish of the sport goes to be invaluable, the place there could also be alternatives towards a tiring defence,” he added.
Jones revealed his squad have solely gone by way of one significant coaching session since arriving in Paris after the exertions of their 14-man rearguard motion towards Eire.
Nevertheless, Sinckler has been even shorter of coaching time as he manages a again damage alongside necessary medical checks for the consequences of concussion.
“Kyle has had a tough final two weeks,” added Jones. “The one coaching he did was at this time and that makes it tough for him to begin.
Underhill will play for England for the primary time since beginning at openside in England’s win over world champions South Africa in November after making his comeback from concussion and sickness at the beginning of this yr.
