Eddie Jones names his side to face France

March 11, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

Eddie Jones has named his side for this weekend’s Guinness Six Nations match against France.

England will host Les Bleus at Twickenham Stadium, in their penultimate championship fixture, on Saturday 13 March (4.45pm KO).

Anthony Watson will make his 50th appearance for England at right wing. He made his debut in November 2014 against New Zealand.

Max Malins will make his first start for England coming in at full back, with Jonny May on the left wing. Captain Owen Farrell stays at inside centre, Henry Slade at outside centre and George Ford at fly half. The squad’s most-capped player Ben Youngs continues at scrum half.

In the front row, Luke Cowan-Dickie is at hooker, with Mako Vunipola and Kyle Sinckler alongside him. Charlie Ewels is named at lock alongside Maro Itoje in the second row. Mark Wilson stays as blind-side flanker, Tom Curry is open-side flanker and Billy Vunipola continues at No. 8.

Jamie George, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Jonny Hill, Ben Earl, Dan Robson, Ollie Lawrence and Elliot Daly are named as finishers, completing Jones’ 23.

Eddie Jones said: “This France game is one we are really looking forward to.

“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.”