Thursday 19 March 2015 16:58, UK
Geoff Parling has been recalled to the England side for Saturday’s Six Nations showdown with France at Twickenham.
The Leicester lock replaces Dave Attwood in the pack in the only change made by head coach Stuart Lancaster following the 25-13 home victory over Scotland last weekend.
Parling impressed as a replacement in the second half of the Calcutta Cup clash and has been rewarded with a starting berth as England look to clinch the title.
Lancaster said: “Geoff did well off the bench against Scotland and now that he has got some games under his belt we feel it is the right time to start him and use his experience and quality in the starting line-up. He didn't go on the Lions tour by accident. He's been a high quality player for us.
"Geoff has presence and speed around the field. His ability to carry the ball is excellent. It was a tight call but the right call.
"Dave understood the decision and there were performances reasons as well, it wasn't just because of Geoff. It was a difficult conversation but Dave accepted it and knows the areas he has to work on."
Tom Youngs had been tipped for a recall at hooker but Dylan Hartley retains the No 2 shirt and will start in a front row that also includes prop Dan Cole who is set to win his 50th cap.
“It’s a great achievement for Dan to win his 50th cap, especially coming back from his injury last year. He is one of the cornerstones of our squad and we all wish him all the best,” added Lancaster.
Attwood has started the last eight Test matches for England but he is not even on the bench where there is a recall for Harlequins stalwart Nick Easter.
Lancaster said: "Nick has really impressed in camp and his appearances off the bench in the second row. He is a quality ball carrier and great defender - something we feel we will need in the latter stages of the game."
By kick-off at 5pm on Saturday, England will know exactly what they need to do to win the tournament, with Wales kicking off at 12.30pm in Rome and Ireland's game against Scotland finishing at Murrayfield just before the grand finale starts.
England, Ireland and Wales all have six points from four matches, but England are four points better off than the Irish on points difference and have 25 in hand on Wales.
Lancaster said: “Finishing off the tournament at home is going to be a great occasion. The support against Scotland last week was fantastic and this weekend we really need the crowd to get behind the team and drive them forward in what will be an exciting finale to this year's championship."
England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Jack Nowell, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Geoff Parling, 5 Courtney Lawes, 6 James Haskell, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 8 Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Tom Youngs, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Nick Easter, 20 Tom Wood, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Danny Cipriani, 23 Billy Twelvetrees.
