ENGLAND HEAD COACH has brought outside centre Manu Tuilagi into his match day 23 for the clash with Italy in Rome on Saturday [KO 12.30pm Irish time].
Aware that he needs as many tries as possible, in the possibility that Ireland win in Paris later the same day, Lancaster has turned to the fit-again Leicester centre to add some ball carrying power to his backline options.
England have not yet revelead their starting XV, but Tuilagi has been included in the 23-man squad named this evening. The 22-year-old only returned to action for his club last weekend, having spent months on the sidelines with a pectoral injury.
Now England are set to use him as a substitute in the second half of the clash with Italy, aware that they need to score as many points as possible. Winning the final round fixture is, of course, the priority but if that happens and Ireland beat France too, the title will be decided on points difference.
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Ireland currently stand on +81 after their seven-try success over Italy last time out, while England are on +32. Tuilagi has scored 10 tries in 21 caps for the English, with his most recent effort coming in last year’s Six Nations against France.
Saracens’ Alex Goode is the man to make way for Tuilagi.
England 23-man squad (v Italy): Forwards: David Attwood (Bath Rugby), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), David Wilson (Bath Rugby), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints), Danny Care (Harlequins), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath Rugby), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby).
Is this English squad good enough to put 50 points past the Italians? Or will they even need to do that?
England recall centre Manu Tuilagi as they target tries in Rome
ENGLAND HEAD COACH has brought outside centre Manu Tuilagi into his match day 23 for the clash with Italy in Rome on Saturday [KO 12.30pm Irish time].
Aware that he needs as many tries as possible, in the possibility that Ireland win in Paris later the same day, Lancaster has turned to the fit-again Leicester centre to add some ball carrying power to his backline options.
England have not yet revelead their starting XV, but Tuilagi has been included in the 23-man squad named this evening. The 22-year-old only returned to action for his club last weekend, having spent months on the sidelines with a pectoral injury.
Now England are set to use him as a substitute in the second half of the clash with Italy, aware that they need to score as many points as possible. Winning the final round fixture is, of course, the priority but if that happens and Ireland beat France too, the title will be decided on points difference.
Ireland currently stand on +81 after their seven-try success over Italy last time out, while England are on +32. Tuilagi has scored 10 tries in 21 caps for the English, with his most recent effort coming in last year’s Six Nations against France.
Saracens’ Alex Goode is the man to make way for Tuilagi.
Is this English squad good enough to put 50 points past the Italians? Or will they even need to do that?
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