Ben Youngs to hit century for England in Rome

Adam Kyriacou
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England scrum-half Ben Youngs will win his 100th cap on Saturday as he starts against Italy in their Six Nations clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

Youngs will become the second most capped England men’s player of all time after Jason Leonard (114 caps). He made his senior team debut against Scotland in March 2010, coming on as a substitute in the Calcutta Cup.

There is also a milestone for hooker Jamie George, who will make his 50th appearance for England this weekend. Both players will lead England out in Rome. England need a bonus-point win to put them in contention for winning the tournament, depending on the result in France v Ireland, which follows the game in Italy.

England debut

Jonny Hill will make his England debut at lock, while Owen Farrell, starting at fly-half, will captain the side. Henry Slade is at inside centre while Jonathan Joseph returns at outside centre. George Furbank is named at full-back with Jonny May and Anthony Watson on the wings.

Up front, Kyle Sinckler will play tighthead and Mako Vunipola starts at loosehead in the front-row. Maro Itoje completes the tight five.

Sam Underhill is named at openside flanker with Tom Curry named at blindside flanker and Billy Vunipola returns from injury for England for the first time since the Rugby World Cup Final at number eight.

Uncapped trio Tom Dunn, Ollie Lawrence and Ollie Thorley are named as replacements, alongside scrum-half Dan Robson. Props Ellis Genge and Will Stuart also join the bench with Charlie Ewels and Ben Earl.

Jones said: “We’ve trained with good intensity this week and the squad are excited by the challenge of performing at our best against Italy.

“The team have prepared well and are looking forward to putting on an England shirt and showing what they can do.

“We will also celebrate two major achievements in Ben Youngs and Jamie George’s cap milestones. It’s testimony to their skill, hard work and love of playing for England, and there is more to come from both of them.”

England: 15 George Furbank, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Jonny May, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Tom Curry, 5 Jonny Hill 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Ollie Lawrence, 23 Ollie Thorley

Date: Saturday, October 31
Venue: Stadio Olimpico
Kick-off: 17:45 local (16:45 GMT)
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Alex Ruiz (FFR), Mike Adamson (SRU)
TMO: Romain Poite (FFR)

 

England