England team news: George Furbank set for England debut in Six Nations opener with France
George Furbank will make his England debut in the Six Nations opener against France on Sunday after the injury to Anthony Watson.
Northampton full-back George Furbank will make his England debut in Paris on Sunday in the Six Nations opener as one of three changes from the side which lost the World Cup final. Furbank, 23, who only broke into the Saints team last season, will be England's last line of defence against France after Anthony Watson was rued out with a calf injury.
The 5ft 9in Furbank succeeds Elliot Daly who England coach Eddie Jones wants on the wing for the foreseeable future.
Bath second row Charlie Ewels comes into the engine room as England send out three second rows for the opening game of the championship with Courtney Lawes wearing No 6 while Joe Marler takes over at loose-head prop and Tom Curry given a new role at No 8.
“It is the start of the Guinness Six Nations, the best rugby tournament in the world. We have picked a strong forward pack which is part of the England way and an exciting backline with young George Furbank playing his first Test at full-back,” said Jones.
“France can expect absolute brutality from England, we are going to go out there to make sure they understand what Test rugby is.It is about being brutal, it is about being physical and it is about dominating the setpiece.
Six Nations: Pundit predicts England line up for France clash
Six Nations 2020 fixtures
Week One
Wales vs Italy - KO 2:15pm on Saturday, February 1 - Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Ireland vs Scotland - KO 4:45pm on Saturday, February 1 - Aviva Stadium, Dublin
France vs England - KO 3pm on Sunday, February 2 - Stade de France, Paris
Week two
Ireland vs Wales - KO 2:15pm on Saturday, February 8 - Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Scotland vs England - KO 4:45pm on Saturday, February 8 - BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
France vs Italy - KO 3pm on Sunday, February 9 - Stade de France, Paris
Week three
Italy vs Scotland - KO 2:15pm on Saturday, February 22 - Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Wales vs France - KO 4:45pm on Saturday, February 22 - Principality Stadium, Cardiff
England vs Ireland - KO 3pm on Sunday, February 23 - Twickenham, London
Week four
Ireland vs Italy - KO 2:15pm on Saturday, March 7 - Aviva Stadium, Dublin
England vs Wales - KO 4:45pm on Saturday, March 7 - Twickenham, London
Scotland vs France - KO 3pm on Sunday, March 8 - BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Week five
Wales vs Scotland - KO 2:15pm on Saturday, March 14 - Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Italy vs England - KO 4:45pm on Saturday, March 14 - Stadio Olimpico, Rome
France vs Ireland - KO 8pm on Saturday, March 14 - Stade de France, Paris
England's forward firepower has been diminished though by the absence of both Vunipola brothers with Mako joining Billy on the sidelines after picking up an eye injury in training.
Bath tight-head Will Stuart set to make his debut off the bench after being preferred to Harry Williams.
England: Furbank; May, Tuilagi, Farrell (capt), Daly; Ford, Youngs; Marler, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Ewels, Lawes, Underhill, Curry. Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Stuart, Kruis, Ludlam, Heinz, Devoto, Joseph.