Farrell, Youngs and Tuilagi all back in England side

A trio of British & Irish Lions have come into the England back-line as part of ten changes by Eddie Jones for the World Cup warm-up match against Ireland at Twickenham. [more]

Farrell, Youngs and Tuilagi all back in England side

Those three backs – scrum-half Ben Youngs, inside centre Owen Farrell and outside centre Manu Tuilagi – all toured Australia with the Lions in 2013, while skipper Farrell was also part of the Tour to New Zealand two years ago.

The game against Ireland will mark the first time that George Ford, Farrell and Tuilagi have formed the 10-12-13 axis under Jones and England could go top of the world rankings if they triumph in southwest London.

Winger Jonny May also comes into the side as the fourth alteration to the starting back-line that lost 13-6 to Wales a week ago, while 2017 Lion Maro Itoje and No.8 Billy Vunipola are the only forwards retained by Jones.

Three men that helped the Lions to a 1-1 draw in New Zealand – Joe Marler, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler – form a new-look front row, while two-time Lion Mako Vunipola makes his return from injury on the bench.

“The players have come back in a very good physical and mental state and we have had a good preparation this week,” said Jones.

“We purposefully made the week short looking ahead to the World Cup where this might happen beyond our control.

“It is the third of four games for us and come the 8th of September, when we get on the plane, we want to be ready to go. This is another step forward for us.

“This weekend we will be looking to gain more game fitness and testing different sorts of game strategies. We have a specific way of how we want to play and the focus is very much on ourselves.”

England team to play Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Saturday August 24 – 3pm
15. Elliot Daly (Saracens)
14. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby)
13. Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens)
11. Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
10. George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

1. Joe Marler (Harlequins)
2. Jamie George (Saracens)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens)
5. George Kruis (Saracens)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens)

Replacements
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
19. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
20. Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons/Sale Sharks)
21. Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby)
22. Piers Francis (Northampton Saints)
23. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)

Previous story Laidlaw returns to captain Scotland
Next story Best returns to captain Ireland