Te’o named on bench as England chase Grand Slam

Ben Te’o has been named amongst the replacements for England’s final match of the RBS 6 Nations against Ireland at Aviva Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 5pm, live on ITV).

There are two changes to the starting line-up which beat Scotland in last weekend’s Calcutta Cup as England retained the RBS 6 Nations and maintained their unbeaten run in the Championship.

Billy Vunipola starts at number eight, having come off the bench against Scotland, and in the back line Anthony Watson is named on the right wing. Jack Nowell and Nathan Hughes are the only changes to the bench.

Saturday’s match will see 30-year-old former Warrior Tom Wood win his 50th cap for England if he is introduced from the bench.

England Head Coach Eddie Jones said: “We’ve had a really good week’s preparation. 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. 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 6 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 Squad
15 Mike Brown (Harlequins, 59 caps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 25 caps)
13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 32 caps)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 51 caps)
11 Elliot Daly (Wasps, 12 caps)  
10 George Ford (Bath Rugby, 34 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 69 caps)

1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 50 caps)
2 Dylan Hartley (C) (Northampton Saints, 83 caps)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 73 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 41 caps)  
5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 57 caps)
6 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 11caps)
7 James Haskell (Wasps, 74 caps) 
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens 33 caps)

Replacements 
16 Jamie George (Saracens, 16 caps)
17 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 41 caps)
18 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 7 caps)
19 Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 49 caps)
20 Nathan Hughes (Wasps, 7 caps)
21 Danny Care (Harlequins, 70 caps) 
22 Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors, 7 caps) 
23 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps) 

 


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