England vs Ireland team news: Tom Curry and Sam Underhill to start as Eddie Jones juggles resources
Eddie Jones and Joe Schmidt have named their teams for the final World Cup warm-up
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Your support makes all the difference.Tom Curry and Sam Underhill will line up either side of Billy Vunipola in a new-look, highly mobile back row against Ireland on Saturday as England coach Eddie Jones continues to juggle his resources in the team's penultimate World Cup warm-up match.
Curry and Underhill bring a dynamic dimension to the flanks, where Jones still seems some way from settling on his preferred combination. Curry will wear number six but both players are considered open-sides and brought some real vigour to England's breakdown work in their previous appearances. Underhill, 23, impressed in last year's Autumn internationals but then missed the Six Nations with an ankle injury, opening the door for 21-year-old Curry.
Whether Jones will stick with the two youngsters when the tournament begins in Japan next month remains to be seen. Mark Wilson, probably favourite to make the World Cup starting team at blindside, is on the bench on Saturday after missing both Wales games.
Captain Owen Farrell will start his first game of the warm-up series but at inside centre, alongside Manu Tuilagi for the first time, with George Ford at flyhalf. It is the first time Jones has started with the Ford/Farrell combination since last year's tour of South Africa - though the two played in those positions in the latter stages of last week's defeat in Wales.
Jonny May also makes his first appearance this season on the left wing with Joe Cokanasiga switching to the right and Elliot Daly remaining at fullback. Prop Mako Vunipola, who has not played since suffering a serious hamstring injury in May, is on the bench. Review the announcements in full below:
When is the match?
England vs Ireland takes place at Twickenham on Saturday 24 August.
What time will it start?
The match will kick-off at 3pm.
On Farrell at 12:
EJ: "We just want to see different ways of playing. We want to see a passing game, we were tight against Wales and as you saw last week in a Test between two top teams there were no line breaks. We want to do that this weekend.
On the back-row:
EJ: "It's about what they can bring. They've still got to get through a training session and those two are like the kamikaze two. But we've seen what referees are letting you get away with at the breakdown and theire qualities fit that.
On Te'o's move to Toulon
EJ: "Everyone makes a choice. Ben's made a choice and we wish him well. We got some word that that was about to happen and he's made his choice."
On time with the squad:
OF: "We do spend a lot of time together and it's about building those relationships."
Playing with Tuilagi:
OF: "When you see Manu's name on the teamsheet it's exciting for everyone I think, not just the person next to him. It's exciting to get out there and get stuck in."
On building towards Japan:
OF: "That's exactly it. It's about building, and the boys have done such a good job in the weeks gone and we want to build on that going forward."
On whether he's looking forward to seeing Farrell and Tuilagi together:
EJ: "I hope so otherwise I wouldn't have picked them!"
On injuries:
EJ: "Slade should be fit to play against Italy in two weeks. Nowell is unlikely to feature but we're confident that he'll be ready for the World Cup. McConnochie should also be good for the Italy game."
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