George Furbank to make England debut against France
Joe Marler is named in England's starting line-up
©PA
England coach Eddie Jones has named Northampton fullback George Furbank in the starting line-up for the opening round of the Six Nations clash against France in Paris.
With Anthony Watson ruled out with an injury, Elliot Daly shifts to left wing and partners with Jonny May at right. With Mako Vunipola out with an eye injury, Joe Marler starts at loosehead.
Maro Itoje and Charlie Ewels form second row partnership with George Kruis providing impact from bench. Following injury to Billy Vunipola, Tom Curry is slotted at number eight while Sam Underhill and Courtney Lawes are at openside and blindside respectively.
George Ford and Ben Youngs form the halfback partnership with skipper Owen Farrell preferred at 12 forming centre partnership with Manu Tuilagi.
“It has been a massively exciting week for us. It is the start of the Guinness Six Nations, the best rugby tournament in the world. We have had a great preparation in Portugal with a quality training week this week," said Jones.
“We have really worried about ourselves, getting ourselves right. We have picked a strong forward pack which is part of the England way and an exciting backline with young George Furbank playing his first Test at fullback.
“France can expect absolute brutality from England, we are going to go out there to make sure they understand what Test rugby is.It is about being brutal, it is about being physical and it is about dominating the set piece.”
Luke Cowan-Dickie, who earlier left the camp due to personal reasons has taken his position in the bench that also has Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, Jonathan Joseph, Ollie Devoto and Kruis.
England starting line-up: 15 George Furbank, 14 Jonny May, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Tom Curry
Reserves: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 George Kruis, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Jonathan Joseph.
