Six Nations: England pick Billy Twelvetrees to face Ireland

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England's Billy Twelvetrees

Billy Twelvetrees has kept his place in England's starting XV for Sunday's match against Ireland in Dublin, while James Haskell makes his first start in the Six Nations since 2011.

Twelvetrees replaced the injured Manu Tuilagi at centre for England's victory over Scotland last Saturday.

And head coach Stuart Lancaster has decided to retain the midfield pairing of Twelvetrees and Brad Barritt.

Tuilagi is on the bench, while Haskell replaces the injured Ben Morgan.

Wasps flanker Haskell will start at blind-side, with Tom Wood shifting to number eight, where he finished the game against the Scots.

"I've played internationally in all three back-row positions and I'm playing at seven for Wasps at the moment," Haskell told BBC Sport.

"Wherever England need me I'm confident I can do a job, I'm just happy to be involved."

Haskell, 27, opted out of last year's Championship in order to play club rugby in Japan and then New Zealand, but has worked his way back into Lancaster's plans.

Morgan was one of England's most influential players against Scotland but he limped off after 45 minutes with a sprained ankle.

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Tuilagi takes over from Saracens wing David Strettle while Leicester's Thomas Waldrom is on the replacements' bench in place of Haskell.

"We were pleased with our intent to play against Scotland," said Lancaster.

"A lot of the players performed very well and with Manu coming back into the equation it gave us some selection decisions.

"But with the centres playing well last week and Manu still returning to match fitness, he and others will give us great options from the bench in what I am sure will be a physical encounter."

Sale's Henry Thomas will travel to Dublin to provide cover at tight-head prop following Friday's Premiership match against Exeter Chiefs.

England have not won a Six Nations game in Ireland for 10 years. Their last tournament victory in Dublin secured a Grand Slam 2003, the year England also won the World Cup.

England did win a World Cup warm-up match in Dublin in 2011 and claimed an emphatic 30-9 victory in their last Six Nations meeting at Twickenham last March.

Team line-up

England: Goode; Ashton, Barritt, Twelvetrees, Brown; Farrell, B Youngs; Marler, T Youngs, Cole, Launchbury, Parling, Haskell, Robshaw, Wood.

Replacements: Hartley, Wilson, Vunipola, Lawes, Waldrom, Care, Flood, Tuilagi.

BBC commentator Eddie Butler reflects on the best opening weekend in Six Nations history.

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394 comments

  • Fair play to Lancaster on this one, neither of the centre's deserve to be dropped. Tuilagi isn't exactly a bad impact sub.

  • Good on Lancaster, this sends out two messages to current and future England players:
    1. If you play well I'll keep you in the side
    2. Even if you're an established player your spot is not guaranteed

    Smart decision, and to those complaining Manu should've started, there's no way he'll be fully match fit to survive 80 minutes of an international game right now

  • So we could see a tired BOD against a fit Manu wanting his test shirt back.

    Can't wait.

    Ireland are going to need more than Zebo juggling his balls.

  • If Tuilagi played and his fitness didnt last the match and there was an injury to the backs England would be stuck. I think its a smart move to have Tuilagi on the bench. They can bring him on if it all starts going bad!

    BBC sort out: 'We're having some problems rating this comment at the moment. Sorry. We're doing our best to fix it.' Its been going on too long now!!

  • Good decision by Lancaster. BB has done no wrong for England and 12T could very well be the distributing 12 that England have lacked since Mike Catt.

    Tuilagi, with having little to no game time in four weeks will come off the bench as hopefully a big impact sub for BB.

    With the inclusion of 12T, I no longer see the need for AG at 15. Foden is more of a potent attacking threat and better in def.

  • Ireland will come out in the first half with BOD and GD to make a point and try to repeat the 1st half against wales, so let Barritt and 12T deal with it. Manu could have field day second half as other posters have pointed out. Ireland faded badly against Wales. We can't win it in the 1st half but we could loose it. On balance first game back, fine by me.

  • Why does anyone bother responding to that GOD guy? Such a bore. Don't rate his comments good or bad, and like a bored child she will go away.

    In other news, can't wait for another great 6nations weekend!

  • Ireland are the same as Wales. First choice 15 are capable but first 15 - 5 injuries are not. Squad depth wins championships (See All Blacks) and only England and France have it in 6N.

    England's game (and tournament) to lose.

  • @ Davey Bones - must disagree with you there. Manu hasn't played for four weeks. 12trees had more than just a "fairly good" game last week. This makes sense as part of a phased re-introduction for Manu back into the team. If 12trees goes well again, his defense is pretty solid, so I would envisage a longer term prospect of 12trees and Manu...but not yet...

  • It is a real shame that every single thread on here degenerates into a slanging match about foreign born players.

  • JamesMatthew is an embarassment to us Welsh fans, dont react guys perhaps he will find another sport to insult.
    All the best for Saturday I think you will need a big performance in Dublin, talent is there if used correctly. If all the games are as good as last Saturday we are in for a bumper weekend again.
    Cymru Am Byth

  • Looking forward to a cracking game. I'm a true Ulster and Ireland supporter but will always remember England making the journey to Dublin in the bad old days of the troubles and didn't forsake us when our celtic cousins couldn't find their passports. We'll welcome you with open arms and make sure we keep the hostilities comfined to pitch. Safe flights guys!

  • With the number of men playing rugby in England, as opposed to the rest of the home nations, England should win the grand slam every year, but they do not. it is one of the few sports that the Celtic nations can give them a run for their money, and this year I think England may win the Championship but not the slam, so good luck to all involved

  • I can see why England are considered favourites, Munster and Leinster not what they once where and Ulster got beat at home by a very ordinary Northampton.

    However this Ireland, in Dublin.

    England are by no means the finished article and despite the scoreline, we made far too many mistakes against Scotland while Ireland were brilliant for 45 minutes then very ordinary.

    Too close to call.

  • G-O-D, Spike et al, this is not a forgone conclusion. This Ireland side are no slouches. At 32, BOD is not exactly ancient, and he'd walk into any team if they could have him (ABs included). In front of a partisan 50,000 crowd, Ireland will leave nothing on the field, and their pack is full of Lions hopefuls (Heaslip, O'Brien, Healy etc). And Spike, your spear comment shows a real lack of class...

  • Completely agree with 29. Not picking Manu will give us Irish a big lift and England have missed a trick not playing Brown to counter Ireland's back 3.

    Can't call it. If Ireland gain parity up front quietly confident of a green win based on the backline chosen but England definitely have the edge in front 5. Key area = scrum. Should be a cracker!

  • I think/hope Launchbury & Lawes will be future greats of the game. Both young and both have different and powerful skills. I hoping great things from these to guys!

  • Tuilagi is one of the best players and a genuine match winner. His ability to run through defenses is unparalleled and I think that he has much more to offer than Barritt.

  • I really liked the way 36 played last week and he is deserving of his start against Ireland. I shudder to think what will happen when Tuilagi comes on late in the game against a tiring Irish defence. If it is a close game, he could be the difference. Very consistent and clever from Lancaster.

  • As an Irishman, I'm delighted with this team! Facing Manu for the last 20mins is a lot better than facing him for the full 80!

    Also, I think 12T inexperience at this level could benefit Ireland. He's got game, but he has never faced anything close to the level of quality of the Irish midfield before. Sexton, Darcy and BOD could give him the run around...

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