Rising star Maro Itoje to make first England start in Six Nations clash with Ireland
Saracens lock impressed coach Eddie Jones with powerful display off the bench against Italy
Saracens lock Maro Itoje will make his first England start after being named in coach Eddie Jones’ run-on side to face Ireland in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday.
The 21-year-old came into the starting 15, having made his debut off the bench in England’s 40-9 win over Italy, after Joe Launchbury was ruled out with a hamstring problem.
Playing our first game at Twickenham after two away fixtures will be huge for us
Courtney Lawes, who started against Italy with Launchbury on the bench, is now among the replacements after being added to the squad following the Wasps’ second-row injury.
The only other change to the England side that kicked-off the match in Rome last time out sees Harlequins loose-head prop Joe Marler replace Mako Vunipola.
Itoje impressed against the Azzurri after coming on with a powerful display in the closing 28 minutes that saw England run in several tries against a tiring defence.
On that occasion, he replaced Chris Robshaw at blindside flanker but Itoje has spent most of his career at lock – the position where he captained England to victory during the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship.
