Rugby

Exeter secondrow Jonny Hill named in England team

Eddie Jones has named his XV to face Italy in Saturday’s final round of the Six Nations

Jonny Hill starts for England on Saturday. File photograph: Getty Images

Thu Oct 29 2020 - 11:50

England have given a debut to Exeter lock Jonny Hill as they stage their final push for the 2020 Six Nations title against Italy on Saturday.

Hill packs down alongside Maro Itoje in the secondrow after an influential season at the Chiefs, who completed the double with the 26-year-old providing a physical presence and set-piece expertise.

Apart from Hill's debut and George Furbank deputising for shin injury victim Elliot Daly at full-back, Eddie Jones has largely stuck to his tried and tested players in the starting XV.

England are currently second in the table on 13 points, ahead of France on points difference, with Ireland on top with 14 points. If Ireland fail to secure a bonus point win in Paris, five points from Rome will mean the 2020 Six Nations will be decided by points difference. Making England favourites as they face an Italian side who have already conceded 144 points over four defeats.

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ENGLAND: George Furbank; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Henry Slade, Jonny May; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, Jonny Hill; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Tom Dunn, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Charlie Ewels, Ben Earl, Dan Robson, Ollie Lawrence, Ollie Thorley.

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