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Malins set for first England start in Le Crunch

Max Malins 13/2/2021
Max Malins will make his first Test start for England on Saturday, in one of three changes made by Eddie Jones for the visit of France.

Max Malins will make his first Test start for England on Saturday, in one of three changes made by Eddie Jones for the visit of France.

Malins has six caps but all of them have come from the bench and he replaces Elliot Daly in the starting XV at full-back.

The other changes see Luke Cowan-Dickie come in for Jamie George at hooker, while Charlie Ewels starts ahead of Jonny Hill in the second row.

The rest of the side is unchanged as England bid to get their Championship back on track following Round 3’s 40-24 defeat to Wales.

The defending champions have lost two of their first three matches, following their Round 1 loss to Scotland.

Anthony Watson will win his 50th Test cap and forms the back three with Malins and Jonny May, while captain Owen Farrell and Henry Slade start in the centres.

Ben Youngs and George Ford reconvene at half-back, while Billy Vunipola will pack down between flankers Mark Wilson and Tom Curry in the back row.

Ewels partners Maro Itoje at second row, behind props Mako Vunipola and Kyle Sinckler and hooker Cowan-Dickie.

“This France game is one we are really looking forward to,” said Jones.

“We are of course disappointed that we can’t defend the championship, but that makes this an even more important game. We want to show what we are capable of.

“The squad have competed really hard in training since Sunday. I believe this is the best 23 to really take the game to France and get us on the front foot.”

England: 15. Max Malins, 14. Anthony Watson, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Owen Farrell, 11. Jonny May, 10. George Ford, 9. Ben Youngs, 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Charlie Ewels, 6. Mark Wilson, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Billy Vunipola

Replacements: 16. Jamie George, 17. Ellis Genge, 18. Will Stuart, 19. Jonny Hill, 20. Ben Earl, 21. Dan Robson, 22. Ollie Lawrence, 23. Elliot Daly