Alex Mitchell returns to the England starting line-up this weekend, as they face Ireland in Round 4 of the Guinness Six Nations – with Northampton Saints teammates Tommy Freeman and George Furbank also set to start the clash.
The 26-year-old scrum-half missed out on England’s clash with Scotland last time out, but recovers from his knee injury to start at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday (9 March, kick-off: 4.45pm) to earn his 14th cap.
While Freeman and Furbank – who both started England’s 30-21 reversal at Murrayfield in Round 3 – retain their places in Steve Borthwick’s starting XV, to play at wing and fullback respectively.
“As always, we’ve selected what we think is our strongest 23 to leave us best placed to win the game,” said head coach Borthwick.
“Ireland are without doubt currently one of the best teams in the world, and we’ll have to be at our very best against them on Saturday.
“We’ve prepared well for what will be another classic Six Nations game at Twickenham.”
England team to face Ireland
15 George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 2 caps)
13 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 60 caps)
12 Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 22 caps)
11 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
10 George Ford (Sale Sharks, 94 caps) – vice captain
9 Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 13 caps)
1 Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 60 caps) – vice captain
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 88 caps) – captain
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 110 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 79 caps) – vice captain
5 George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 10 caps)
6 Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps)
7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 33 caps)
8 Ben Earl (Saracens, 28 caps)
Replacements:
16 Theo Dan (Saracens, 10 caps)
17 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 91 caps)
18 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 36 caps)
19 Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 3 caps)
20 Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 15 caps)
21 Danny Care (Harlequins, 99 caps)
22 Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 30 caps)
23 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 67 caps)
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