England have given a debut to Exeter lock Jonny Hill as they stage their final push for the 2020 Six Nations title against Italy on Saturday.
Hill packs down alongside Maro Itoje in the second row after an influential season at the Chiefs, who completed the double with the 26-year-old providing a physical presence and set-piece expertise.
Apart from Hill’s debut and George Furbank deputising for shin injury victim Elliot Daly at full-back, Eddie Jones has largely stuck to his tried and tested players in the starting XV.
It is a different story on the bench, however, with uncapped trio Tom Dunn, Ollie Lawrence and Ollie Thorley selected for the Stadio Olimpico showdown.
Dunn will provide cover for hooker Jamie George, Lawrence is a powerful centre with good feet and Thorley operates as a tackle-busting wing.
George wins his 50th cap and he will lead out the side alongside Lions team-mate Ben Youngs, who will become only the second player to reach the milestone of 100 England appearances.
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) October 29, 2020
England team to play Italy
Forwards: 1 Mako Vunipola (Saracens), 2 Jamie George (Saracens), 3 Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears), 4 Maro Itoje (Saracens), 5 Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs)*, 6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), 7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), 8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Backs: 9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers), 10 Owen Farrell (CAPTAIN, Saracens), 11 Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), 12 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), 13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), 14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), 15 George Furbank (Northampton Saints)
Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby)*, 17 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), 18 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), 19 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), 20 Ben Earl (Bristol Bears), 21 Dan Robson (Wasps), 22 Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors)*, 23 Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby)*
*Denotes uncapped player