Eddie Jones has made three changes to England’s starting XV as Sam Simmonds, Jamie George and Joe Marchant all come in for their must-win clash with Ireland.
Simmonds is favoured at No.8 over Alex Dombrandt, who has rejoined the squad following a period of isolation due to a positive Covid test and is named as finisher.
Hooker Jamie George replaces Luke Cowan-Dickie, who was ruled out of the Championship with a knee injury, while Joe Marchant is drafted into the midfield at inside centre.
Courtney Lawes will continue to captain the team at blindside flanker, forming a back row with Simmonds and vice-captain Tom Curry, who has completed his return to play protocols.
George packs down with props Ellis Genge (vice-captain) and Kyle Sinckler in the front row, while locks Maro Itoje and Charlie Ewels complete the tight five.
Harry Randall is once again preferred at scrum-half over England men’s most capped player Ben Youngs, with Championship top points scorer Marcus Smith continuing at fly-half.
Marchant partners vice-captain Henry Slade in the centres, with Elliot Daly dropping to the bench after starting the 23-19 win over Wales, with Jack Nowell and Max Malins on the wings.
Freddie Steward completes the back three while Joe Launchbury is in line to make his first international appearance since England’s win over France in the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup.
Launchbury starts on the bench alongside Jamie Blamire, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Youngs, George Ford and Daly as England look to make it three consecutive wins.
Jones said: “We’ve been looking at this game as a semi-final. Ireland are the most cohesive side in the world right now and it will be a good test this weekend.
“We’ve prepared really well for this game. We did some good team togetherness work in Bristol and had a solid week of training on the pitch here.
“We are looking forward to going after them in front of a great home crowd at Twickenham. It’s been special having 82,000 supporters back in for our Six Nations games and it will be a great Test match for them.”
ENGLAND XV
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 8 caps)
14. Max Malins (Saracens, 13 caps)
13. Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 10 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 46 caps) (VC)
11. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 37 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 8 caps)
9. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 4 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 34 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 64 caps) (VC)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 50 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 54 caps)
5. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 29 caps)
6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 91 caps) (C)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 39 caps) (VC)
8. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 5 caps)
17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 77 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 18 caps)
19. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 69 caps)
20. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 7 caps)
21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 115 caps)
22. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 79 caps)
23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 55 caps)
