With the title already secured but hopes of the Grand Slam still in the balance, England have named a largely unchanged side to face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
With Dylan Hartley leading the side and Courtney Lawes lining up in the second row, Saints’ club captain Tom Wood begins the game on the bench. Wood will earn his 50th cap for his country on taking to the field on Saturday, six years after first donning an England shirt back in 2011.
England’s Head Coach Eddie Jones said that Wood’s achievement is a credit to the Saints back row.
“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 TEAM TO FACE IRELAND
2017 Six Nations
Aviva Stadium
Saturday, 18th March, 2017
Kick off 5pm
15 Mike Brown (Harlequins)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
12 Owen Farrell Saracens)
11 Elliot Daly (Wasps)
10 George Ford (Bath Rugby)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins)
2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints, capt)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
6 Maro Itoje (Saracens)
7 James Haskell (Wasps)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
16 Jamie George (Saracens)
17 Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
18 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
19 Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)
20 Nathan Hughes (Wasps)
21 Danny Care (Harlequins)
22 Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)
23 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
