England vs Ireland, Six Nations: Elliot Daly impresses Eddie Jones and earns promotion into squad

Wasps centre in and Lawes out as Itoje closes in on starting spot for England

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England are in “out with the old, in with the new” mood ahead of this weekend’s Six Nations meeting with Ireland at Twickenham – their first appearance on the old cabbage patch since the Wallabies covered them in what might politely be called fertiliser, during a traumatic World Cup campaign last autumn. Elliot Daly, the uncapped Wasps centre, will make his first appearance in the match-day squad, while Courtney Lawes, the long-serving lock, has lost his place.

Eddie Jones made the cuts after yesterday’s training at the team base in Surrey. Lawes, who started the championship game with Italy in Rome on Valentine’s Day, is no longer in the coach’s affections – instead, he will be available for Northampton’s forthcoming league game with Worcester at Franklin’s Gardens. He was joined on the drive home by two club colleagues: Luther Burrell, the midfielder recalled to the squad only three days ago, and the prop Kieran Brookes, who played alongside Lawes at the global gathering before Christmas.

Joe Launchbury, who caught the eye off the bench in Rome, seems certain to start alongside George Kruis in the engine room of the scrum, with the brilliant Saracens prospect Maro Itoje providing the necessary cover. Itoje is fast closing in on a starting place in the back row, but his positional flexibility – not to mention his energy – is such that he could happily perform both roles over the course of a game.

Daly’s promotion will be widely welcomed. His attacking form for Wasps has been exceptional, his defensive work has improved significantly since the start of the Premiership campaign and his spectacular goal-kicking is the most potent of additional weapons. Most people have feet attached to their ankles. Daly has something resembling a cannon.

Jones indicated earlier this week that the 23-year-old back from Croydon had done himself a power of good on the practice paddock. There was also a more personal assessment from James Haskell, the Wasps captain, who has stood shoulder to shoulder with the newcomer for a number of seasons and knows what makes him tick.

“Elliot is an outstanding player who has always had the raw talent,” said the flanker. “I think that over his time with Wasps, through the relegation battle we had and other difficult periods, he’s been blooded quickly. There have been points when he’s seemed a bit unsure of what more he needed to do to get into international rugby, but Eddie has told him what’s needed.

“He’s a lovely bloke, albeit highly irritating. I’d call him the bane of my existence. In the England camp he’s a lot quieter, but at Wasps you can hear him before you see him – and that’s rich, coming from me. He loves a practical joke, a stitch-up, but he’s also determined to succeed in this sport. I think he has a massive present as well as a massive future. If he gets an opportunity, he’ll go well because he has that edge to him. When he’s fired up he’s pretty sensational, but he’s learned how to contain it and stop things bubbling over.”

After playing a risky selection card last time out – the red-rose bench in Rome featured six forwards and only two backs – Jones has reverted to a more orthodox five-three split. He believes Daly can cover full-back and left wing, as well as both centre positions, but the newcomer’s primary role will be to fit into midfield as and when necessary.

Before the start of the Six Nations, the coach identified both Daly and Itoje as potential 60-cap internationals – and then declined to pick them for the opening match with Scotland at Murrayfield. Now, both men are deep in the mix. By the end of this season’s business, which concludes with a three-Test trek around Australia in June, they may be a tenth of the way towards fulfilling their potential.