Stuart Lancaster has opted to keep Manu Tuliagi in reserve for the meeting with Ireland on Sunday, making only one enforced change to the side that beat Scotland last weekend.
James Haskell’s inclusion at the expense of the injured Ben Morgan in the back row is the only change to the side, meaning that the monstrous Tuilagi will be kept in reserve from the start, although the prospect of him entering the fray against a tiring Irish defence sometime in the second half is a frightening one indeed.
With Tuliagi on the bench, Billy Twelvetrees keeps his place after an impressive showing against Scotland, while Haskell’s introduction has led to a reshuffle in the back row, with the Wasps flanker named to start on the blindside and Tom Wood switching to number eight in Morgan’ absence.
Apart from that, it’s as you were as England look to claim their first victory on Irish soil in the Six Nations since 2003 and Ireland look to build on the momentum gained from last week’s defeat of Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
Kick off at the Aviva Stadium is on Sunday at 3pm. Bring it on.
England team to play Ireland: A Goode; C Ashton, B Barritt, B Twelvetrees, M Brown; O Farrell, B Youngs; J Marler, T Youngs, D Cole; J Launchbury, G Parling; J Haskell, C Robshaw, T Wood.
Replacements: D Hartley, D Wilson, M Vunipola, C Lawes, T Waldrom, D Care, T Flood, M Tuilagi.
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