England name team as they aim to clinch Six Nations title in Italy

England have given a debut to Exeter lock Jonny Hill as they stage their final push for the 2020 Six Nations title against Italy on Saturday.
Called up: Exeter second-row Jonny Hill will make his England debut in Saturday’s match against Italy. Picture: PACalled up: Exeter second-row Jonny Hill will make his England debut in Saturday’s match against Italy. Picture: PA
Called up: Exeter second-row Jonny Hill will make his England debut in Saturday’s match against Italy. Picture: PA

Hill packs down alongside Maro Itoje in the second row after an influential season at the Chiefs, who completed the double with the 26-year-old providing a physical presence and set-piece expertise.

Apart from Hill’s debut and George Furbank deputising for shin injury victim Elliot Daly at full-back, Eddie Jones has largely stuck to his tried and tested players in the starting XV.

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It is a different story on the bench, however, with uncapped trio Tom Dunn, Ollie Lawrence and Ollie Thorley selected for the Stadio Olimpico showdown.

Dunn will provide cover for hooker Jamie George, Lawrence is a powerful centre with good feet and Thorley operates as a tackle-busting wing.

George wins his 50th cap and he will lead out the side alongside Lions team-mate Ben Youngs, who will become only the second player to reach the milestone of 100 England appearances.

England are playing their first match since lockdown following a seven-month interruption to the Six Nations caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and the cancellation of last week’s scheduled Barbarians Test.

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“We’ve trained with good intensity this week and the squad are excited by the challenge of performing at our best against Italy,” said Jones.

“The team have prepared well and are looking forward to putting on an England shirt and showing what they can do.

“We will also celebrate two major achievements in Ben Youngs and Jamie George’s cap milestones.

“It’s testimony to their skill, hard work and love of playing for England, and there is more to come from both of them.”

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England team: Furbank; Watson, Joseph, Slade, May; Farrell, Youngs; M Vunipola, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Curry, Underhill, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Dunn, Genge, Stuart, Ewels, Earl, Robson, Lawrence, Thorley.

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