England coach Stuart Lancaster has named Wasps flanker James Haskell in his starting XV for Sunday's Six Nations clash with Ireland in Dublin.
Haskell has been selected at blindside flanker in a reshuffled back row, with Tom Wood switching to number eight in place of the injured Ben Morgan.
It is the only change to the run-on side that did duty in the 38-18 Calcutta Cup victory over Scotland at Twickenham last weekend. That means there's no place for dynamic centre Manu Tuilagi who returns from an ankle injury on the replacments bench.
Haskell's last start in the Six Nations was also in Dublin, in 2011, when Ireland shattered England's Grand Slam ambitions with a a 24-8 victory.
Morgan left the field with an ankle injury in the 45th minute of the Test against Scotland but Haskell impressed when he came on as a replacement.
Haskell's elevation to the starting line-up means Thomas Waldrom comes into the matchday squad on the bench.
Tuilagi takes over from David Strettle amongst the replacements.
The Leicester stalwart's return to fitness meant Lancaster was left with a selection poser after debutant Billy Twelvetrees and Brad Barritt shone as a midfield combination against Scotland.
But Lancaster has decided to use Tuilagi off the bench as an impact player.
"A lot of the players performed very well and with Manu coming back into the equation it gave us some selection decisions," Lancaster said.
"But with the centres playing well last week and Manu still returning to match fitness, having not played for the last four weeks, he and others will give us great options from the bench in what I am sure will be a physical encounter."
England: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Brad Barritt, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Mike Brown, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Tom Wood, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 6 James Haskell, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 David Wilson, 18 Mako Vunipola, 19 Courtney Lawes 20 Thomas Waldrom, 21 Danny Care, 22 Toby Flood, 23 Manu Tuilagi.
Date: Sunday, 10 February
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Jérôme Garces (France)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Pascal Gauzere (France)
Television match official: Iain Ramage (Scotland)
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
Jediboy: saw that too. Unlucky for Foden. He's very good v France so hopefully... Lancaster likes to let us whinge and later find out the reasoning. Fair enough.
Posted 09:34 09th February 2013
Jediboy says...
The RFU have asked Saints to rest Foden and not play him so they can manage his injury.
That explains why Foden hasn't been in the squad. Hopefully they'll sort his fitness and form and get him back soon.
Posted 21:47 08th February 2013
chubbylugs says...
the right selection. tuilagi is not bigger than the team and it sends the right message about selection on merit and earning spot back once its gone. SL hasnt bowed to pressure, impressed
Posted 17:17 08th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Think England are naive to expect to win a tight game on penalties.
Goode and Brown are not game breakers, nor is Baritt. Ireland know that they need to shut down Twlevtrees and the lack of threats out wide will make that task all the easier. Hope England prove me wrong.
Posted 14:31 08th February 2013
pierredelot1 says...
Well delighted that Twelvetrees has kept his place and that Lancaster has gone for creativity rather than the bulldozer approach. Manu will be sure to get his chance during the game. Haskell was bound to get the nod, but doesn't offer the same ball carrying ability and drive that Morgan brings, so England will lose a bit there.. But overall as expected. Still confused by Waldrom on the bench, his inclusion is beyond me.
Posted 13:37 08th February 2013
APV1 says...
@ Jediboy - I'd prefer Foden on the wing and Brown at 15 - Foden has the pace out of the two.
With regards to the bench, I absolutely agree. I've often said that you can see the strength of a team by their bench and ours is rather good.
I think Barritt and 36 are a good starting pair. Not only will they be a week more gelled together, but I think they're a better defensive partnership. Bringing Tuilagi on later will probably have more of an impact than bringing either 36 or Barritt on.
England by...
5
no
3
no
8
no
6
Oh, I don't know.
ENGLAND FOR THE GRAND SLAM!
Posted 13:28 08th February 2013
whitelinefever says...
Mmmm If it were just the starting 15's I would go with home advantage and the Irish but I agree the English bench is awesome and will be the difference.
England to pull away in the final 20mins and win by 5-10..
Posted 13:01 08th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
All swings on whether England have a plan to avoid the choke tackle and keep possession.
Posted 12:52 08th February 2013
Spartacus says...
Haskell is an overrated useless gym monkey. The Spies of the England team!
Posted 12:28 08th February 2013
Jediboy says...
Pretty much as I expected.
Thought Haskell played well last week when he came on so good luck to him. Would prefer to see Foden in the starting 15 over Goode, but I accept he needs to prove his form and fitness. Glad Srettle has gone as I believe he offers nothing to this England team.
I think the bench is awesome (Lawes, Care, Hartley and of course Tuilagi) and could make a rel impact in this game.
This will be a real test for England as Ireland are looking good. Think (hope) England will just sneak this
Posted 12:23 08th February 2013
melkdave says...
Carnt really argue against this selection,it is after all a wining team.Also most probily right not to throw Tulangi straght back into the cauldron of international rugby with a starting spot,though i like others would love to see him with 36 at some point..I will also admit im apprehensive about this match,Ireland dont need much motavation to play against England at home,and the're 1st half performance against Wales was bloody fantastic ,The question mark recently is consistentcy for Ireland .Being unable to string two good games together .Hope that continues at least for this match and England can nick it .
Posted 11:39 08th February 2013
stumpy says...
Let me but in before inevitably, the internet cynics strike. Yes I do not agree 100% with the team, and I personally would have made some changes from this side. But people need to realise they wont be likely to agree 100% with a team named, and have to judge it on the statement it's making. That said, I think it's a good team he's named. I can understand why he opted for Haskell over Vunipola as Haskell is a real presence at the breakdown which will be needed against a side who have ruled the breakdown in Europe for a while. Pleased Strettle is out of the matchday squad too.
Posted 11:30 08th February 2013
Heathy says...
Exactly as predicted on my post 'Tuilagi makes the cut' but in all fairness it was obvious really. Can't really grumble as so far so good. Goode needs to have a good game and decision making needs to improve. This will be a tough test for England and will start to show exactly where we are. A win and all is in the right direction. A loss and it will be a reality check as we may not be quite as good as we thought. After last weeks results, a Championship win should be our benchmark. Nothing less. A Grand Slam may be a step too far but should be doable. I'm not saying we will do this and I'm not saying we are good enough just yet. I'm just saying this is what we should be happy with IF we are progressing as we should be. There will be a couple of other teams arguing that point and quite rightly so.
Posted 11:22 08th February 2013
Tvaddict says...
Exactly the team I'd have chosen except I'd of had the exciting and mobile Vunipola instead of the slow and lumbering Waldron on the bench. Our starting XV should be more than a match in terms of mobility and physicality, with some great impact from the bench. We should just about win the scrum, but I'm worried we might get schooled a little in the lineout. This us the only match of the 6 nations I wouldn't be upset to lose but I'm still going to go for England by 6.
Posted 11:17 08th February 2013
APV1 says...
Well that's that then.
Good to see hask getting a start and interesting to see Flood on the bench, not Strettle.
Youngs over Hartley.
Barritt over Tuilagi.
Waldrom over Vunipola.
All interesting choices.
Posted 11:14 08th February 2013