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Elliot Daly has been named in England's starting XV. David Davies
Team news

Daly starts as injury-hit England make changes for France

Eddie Jones has made five changes to the side, with Joe Marler starting just four weeks after breaking his leg.

ELLIOT DALY WILL start on the wing when a much-changed England begin the defence of their Six Nations title against France at Twickenham on Saturday.

Daly was named in the left wing when coach Eddie Jones announced his side today.

Jack Nowell had been in line to fill the position but missed training on Tuesday due to personal reasons and only returned to reigning Grand Slam champions England’s training camp in Bagshot, southwest of London, this morning.

Nowell was, however, named on the bench.

Injuries have been a major concern to England, particularly in the back row.

Maro Itoje, a lock by trade, will make his first Test start at blindside flanker after former England captain Chris Robshaw was ruled out of the whole Six Nations with a shoulder injury while in the front row loosehead prop Joe Marler has made a quicker than expected return from a fractured leg.

In all, England have made four changes in personnel to the team that beat Australia last time out, with Joe Launchbury back in the second row after George Kruis was ruled out with a potentially tournament-ending knee injury.

Nevertheless, Jones said: “We’ve been able to select a very strong and experienced team to play against France and we are excited to get the tournament under way.”

Meanwhile, France have named exciting Bordeaux scrum-half Baptiste Serin in their starting XV, while promising lock Arthur Iturria is set for his debut off the bench.

England

15. Mike Brown
14. Jonny May
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Owen Farrell
11. Elliot Daly
10. George Ford
9. Ben Youngs

1. Joe Marler
2. Dylan Hartley (captain)
3. Dan Cole
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Maro Itoje
7. Tom Wood
8. Nathan Hughes.

Replacements

16. Jamie George
17. Matt Mullan
18. Kyle Sinckler
19. Teimana Harrison
20. James Haskell
21. Danny Care
22. Ben Te’o
23. Jack Nowell

France:

15. Scott Spedding
14. Noa Nakaitaci
13. Remi Lamerat
12. Gael Fickou
11. Virimi Vakatawa
10. Camille Lopez
9. Baptiste Serin

1. Cyrill Baille
2. Guilhelm Guirado (captain)
3. Uini Atonio
4. Sebastien Vahaamahina
5. Yoann Maestri
6. Damien Chouly
7. Kevin Gourdon
8. Louis Picamoles

Replacements

16. Clement Maynadier
17. Rabah Slimani
18. Xavier Chiocci
19. Arthur Iturria
20. Loann Goujon
21. Maxime Machenaud
22. Jean-Marc Doussain
23. Yoann Huget

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