Ben Te’o starts for England as Jonathan Joseph drops from squad

BEN TE’O WILL start a Test match for the first time after being named at outside centre for England as they get set to take on Italy in the RBS Six Nations at Twickenham this Saturday (live on RTÉ Two, kick-off 3pm).

Te’o, who has won his five caps to date from the bench, comes in for Jonathan Joseph who drops out of the match-day 23 completely.

He’ll form a new-look centre partnership with Owen Farrell while Jonny May is recalled to the right wing to form the back three alongside Mike Brown and Elliot Daly.

In the half-backs, Danny Care replaces Ben Youngs at nine but George Ford keeps the number 10 jersey.

The front five remains the same with Dylan Hartley sandwiched by Joe Marler and Dan Cole while Joe Lunchbury and Courtney Lawes form the second row.

James Haskell is the fourth and final change from the side that beat Wales two weeks ago and he takes his place at openside; Maro Itoje and Nathan Hughes completing the pack.

Prop Mako Vunipola has returned from a lengthy knee injury-layoff to take his place among the replacements.

England (v Italy)

15. Mike Brown
14. Jonny May
13. Ben Te’o
12. Owen Farrell
11. Elliot Daly
10. George Ford
9. Danny Care

1. Joe Marler
2. Dylan Hartley (captain)
3. Dan Cole
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Maro Itoje
7. James Haskell
8. Nathan Hughes

Replacements

16. Jamie George
17. Mako Vunipola
18. Kyle Sinckler
19. Tom Wood
20. Jack Clifford
21. Ben Youngs
22. Henry Slade
23. Jack Nowell

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