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Rugby

16th Mar 2017

Worst possible news for Ireland as Eddie Jones recalls absolute beast to England team

Oh God no

Patrick McCarry

Here come the pain…

Billy Vunipola is back in England’s starting XV and he is coming for Ireland.

The Saracens back-row was on the bench for the 61-21 dismantling of Scotland but has been tossed in right from the start for Saturday’s game against Ireland.

Eddie Jones has had few other changes – or reasons to change – a team that a seeking 19 Test wins in a row. Dylan Hartley will captain the side again and the back three of Ellit Daly, Anthony Watson and Mike Brown is a scary prospect.

Joe Launchbury and Courtney Lawes remain in the second row and Maro Itoje is retained at blindside.

ENGLAND

Mike Brown

Anthony Watson
Jonathan Joseph
Owen Farrell
Elliot Daly

George Ford
Ben Youngs

Joe Marler
Dylan Hartley (captain)
Dan Cole

Joe Launchbury
Courtney Lawes

Maro Itoje
James Haskell
Billy Vunipola

Replacements: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Kyle Sinckler, Tom Wood, Nathan Hughes, Danny Care, Ben Te’o, Jack Nowell

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10