Five Saracens in England squad to play Italy

Five Saracens have again been picked in the England matchday 23 as they head to Rome to face Italy on Sunday. 

Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Nick Isiekwe and Max Malins will all start at the Studio Olimpico, with Elliot Daly on the bench for Round Two of the Guinness Six Nations. 

Head coach Eddie Jones said: “We’ve set ourselves the target of playing really well and lighting up Rome.

“We’ve made some changes and this is the best side to face Italy.  We want to start fast and take the game to them.

“They can be a dangerous team and have some very good players in the likes of Garbisi, Negri and Lamaro.

“It’s been a difficult week, but the players have bounced back well, trained hard and are ready to put on a good performance on Sunday.”

England XV to play Italy:

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 6 caps)
14. Max Malins (Saracens, 11 caps)
13. Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 8 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 44 caps) (VC)
11. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 35 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 6 caps)
9. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 32 caps) (VC)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 62 caps)
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 16 caps)
4. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 27 caps)
5. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 4 caps)
6. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 52 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 37 caps) (C)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 5 caps)

FINISHERS
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 32 caps) (VC)
17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 75 caps)
18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 48 caps)
19. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
20. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 10 caps)
21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 113 caps)
22. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 78 caps)
23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 53 caps)