Friday 27 February 2015 13:32, UK
Alex Goode and Jack Nowell will start for England against Ireland in Sunday’s Six Nations showdown in Dublin.
Goode replaces Mike Brown – who is still recovering from concussion - at full-back, and Exeter star Nowell comes in for the dropped Jonny May on the left wing.
In the only other change to the match-day 23 that faced Italy, Bath prop Henry Thomas replaces Kieran Brookes on the replacements’ bench as the Newcastle Falcons prop continues to recover from a hip flexor strain.
The changes are the first head coach Stuart Lancaster has had to make in the Six Nations this year.
Brown suffered a blow to the head during the 47-17 win over the Azzurri at Twickenham. Gloucester wing May has been dropped after underwhelming performances against Wales and Italy. Nowell - who has been in superb form for the Chiefs - is recalled after a near year-long absence because of shoulder and knee injuries.
Lancaster said: “We’ve made minimal changes as we felt the squad performed well in the first two games. Alex is in good form for Saracens and has been training well over the last few weeks, as has Jack Nowell who is also playing well for Exeter Chiefs.
“Both have been pushing hard for selection and I am sure will seize their chance against a high quality Ireland side.
“Chris Pennell and Manu Tuilagi will also travel. Manu has been recovering with us and it’s good to continue keeping him connected while Chris will be a travelling reserve.”
The squad departs for Dublin on Friday night as the countdown to the biggest game of the tournament - between the last two teams with 100 per cent records - continues.
Champions Ireland start as marginal favourites to halt English momentum and both sides enter the encounter knowing that victory will offer sight of the title with two rounds remaining.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt will name his team at 2pm on Friday.
England: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Jack Nowell, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Dave Attwood, 5 George Kruis, 6 James Haskell, 7 Chris Robshaw, 8 Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Tom Youngs, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Nick Easter, 20 Tom Croft, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Danny Cipriani, 23 Billy Twelvetrees.
