Billy Vunipola and Anthony Watson start as England chase Grand Slam
Thursday 16 March 2017 14:14, UK
Billy Vunipola and wing Anthony Watson return to the starting XV as England head to Ireland in search of successive Grand Slams.
Vunipola replaces Nathan Hughes at No 8 and Watson comes in for Jack Nowell on the right wing in two changes to the side that thrashed Scotland.
Elliot Daly has also been passed fit after taking a knock early on in England's 61-21 win over Scotland, but has passed the return-to-play protocols for concussion and will start for Eddie Jones' side at the Aviva Stadium.
Saturday's match will see 30-year-old Tom Wood win his 50th cap for England if used from the bench, having made his debut against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in 2011.
If England beat Ireland, they will secure back-to-back Grand Slams, as well as claiming the tier-one record for consecutive Test victories with 19.
"We've had a really good week's preparation," said England head coach Jones.
"The intensity of training has been good. It's going to be quite an occasion in Dublin so we understand we have to be prepared emotionally, physically and mentally.
"The mood in camp has been positive. We're very excited ahead of what is a huge opportunity for the players. You sense the intensity has stepped up; it has in training, definitely.
"The message to the players has been quite simple, we're playing Ireland on Saturday and that is the only thing that counts. We are focusing on preparing well, the only thing we can control is our preparation.
"Ireland not having anything to play for means they have the courage to fail which frees them up mentally, we are a little bit vulnerable because we have already been crowned the RBS Six Nations champions and we had a big win against Scotland, so for us it's getting the right mind-set for the game.
"I congratulate Tom Wood on his personal milestone. He is a committed team man, who has fought his way back into this set-up and has been a great contributor to the team on and off the field. He works very hard and it's a great reward for him."
England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 3 Dan Cole, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Courtney Lawes, 6 Maro Itoje, 7 James Haskell, 8 Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Tom Wood, 20 Nathan Hughes, 21 Danny Care, 22 Ben Te'o, 23 Jack Nowell.
