Stuart Lancaster has retained the same matchday 23 for the visit of Italy to Twickenham this weekend in round two of the Six Nations.
The head coach has kept the faith with the players that defeated Wales in Cardiff last weekend. The rest of the squad will return to their clubs to play in the Premiership fixtures.
Lancaster said: “We’ll name the team on Thursday but we’ve gone for the same squad that played against Wales as we look to build consistent performances. There are many players pushing hard for selection and we are looking forward to watching their club games this weekend.”
Forwards
Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)
Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons)
Nick Easter (Harlequins)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
James Haskell (Wasps)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Chris Robshaw (captain, Harlequins)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints)
Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks)
George Ford (Bath Rugby)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
8 replies on “Lancaster retains same England 23 for Italy game”
Still think Kitchener is more than a tad unlucky but same 15 is a good shout. Hope Cips gets a chance this weekend though.
Not entirely disappointed with this. Gives the new players further opportunities and hopefully a decent look at a couple of fringe players in the game. If Attwood and JJ can produce again, they could really lay down markers for the RWC. I guess it will be a different game plan this week, albeit we will still need to win it up front first.
I think it’s the right thing to do. Lots of people have been moaning about some of these players getting a chance, and it’l be good to see how they get on with a different type of pressure at home, against a team they are expecting to beat. Should be a a victory of at least 20 points I think.
would like to see Cips come on, but think it will need at least a 10 point cushion maybe 15 points before SL makes the switch.
Whilst I think it is probably the right decision, with points difference a possible factor would have loved to see Wade included somehow.
Very happy to see the same teamsheet, but as Benjit has said, would have been a great opportunity to see Wade, and Simpson, come off the bench against some tired Italian legs. I would be happy with this team all the way through, barring Lawes or Parling being added at somepoint.
I think Italy ran out of steam in last 20 minutes last week and would have liked to see some real pace on the bench like Simpson,wade and eastmond. Can’t argue with a winning team though, croft may have some joy against tired legs if he comes on.
No surprise – right decision.
Would like to see Cipriani given a good half hour here. I do understand why he didn’t come on last week but now is the time to give him some time on the pitch.