Manu Tuilagi is set to make an international farewell appearance after being named in the England matchday squad to face France in the final round of Six Nations matches.
As Telegraph Sport first reported, Tuilagi has been named as a replacement, with Elliot Daly replacing concussion Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in the starting XV as the only substitute from the side that defeated Ireland 23-22. Flanker Ethan Roots also comes on the bench in place of Chandler Cunningham-South.
Tuilagi is widely expected to move abroad when his contract with Sale Sharks expires this summer, which could prevent him from playing for England again. Since his debut in 2011, Tuilagi’s international career has been plagued by injuries and he played the last World Cup with a broken hand.
England still have an outside chance of winning the title but would need Scotland to beat Ireland in Dublin and then beat France with a four-try bonus point in Lyon.
England team announcement, as it happened
2:24 PM GMT
A memory of that English team…
2:13 PM GMT
The Tuilagi Clan
If this weekend marks Manu Tuilagi’s last game in an England shirt, it will mark the end of a new chapter in the story of one of English rugby’s most famous lines.
Take a look back at the Tuilagi dynasty HERE.
2:07 PM GMT
‘A real sense of anticipation’
England head coach Steve Borthwick: “After such a hard-fought win against Ireland last week, we realize how important it is to back up that performance with a similar performance in Lyon on Saturday.
“France remains one of the top countries in the world and will pose a major challenge for us.
“We have had great preparation so far this week and there is a real sense of anticipation and determination throughout the camp as we head into what will be an exciting final weekend.”
2:03 PM GMT
Carrots back in the mix
Another name in the competition selection is Ethan Roots. He is back on the bench after Chandler Cunningham-South’s injury.
2:00 PM GMT
England faces France…
15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 8 caps)
14. Tommy Vrijman (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 61 caps)
12. Ollie Laurens (Bad rugby, 23 caps)
11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 68 caps)
10. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 95 caps) – vice-captain
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 61 caps) – vice-captain
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 89 caps) – captain
3. Then Cole (Leicester Tigers, 111 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 80 caps) – vice-captain
5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 11 caps)
6. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 22 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bad rugby, 34 caps)
8. Ben Graaf (Saracens, 29 caps)
Replacements: 16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 11 caps) 17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 92 caps) 18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 37 caps) 19. Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps) 20. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 16 caps) 21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 100 caps) 22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 31 caps) 23. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 59 caps)
1:49 PM GMT
The English talisman…
At least he has been in this Six Nations. Ben Earl continues to exceed expectations, with his performance against Ireland the best of his career to date. He has spoken this week of talks with English coaches to take his game to a ‘world-class’ level. Maybe you think he’s already there…
Read the full story HERE.
13:39 GMT
To enjoy…
While we wait for the England team to be announced… do yourself a favor over lunch and relive last Saturday’s epic at Twickenham.
13:33 GMT
One man who starts…
…is George Martin. He was simply immense at Twickenham last weekend, with no moment symbolizing his physical prominence better than his blistering tackle on Tadhg Beirne just before half-time.
Relive that moment in the capable hands of Daniel Schofield HERE.
1:25 PM GMT
No Feyi Waboso
The biggest fly in Borthwick’s ointment this week has been the unavailability of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who will miss the trip to Lyon after a super international bow last weekend after self-reporting concussion symptoms.
Read the full story HERE.
13:21 GMT
It’s the little things…
Ben Earl provides big highlights, but he also sees things big in subtle moments. Very smart here to tackle Tommy Freeman and save what looks like an inevitable turnover. pic.twitter.com/lTNmYaEtEa
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) March 14, 2024
13:21 GMT
Saturday location
After Marseille and Lille, our big tour through France comes to an end this weekend at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon. A reminder that the Stade de France is out of use for this year’s Six Nations due to this summer’s Olympic Games.
13:17 GMT
Who they will face…
Fabien Galthie has named an unchanged France Xv for Saturday’s clash in Lyon following his side’s 45-24 win over Wales in Cardiff last Sunday.
The French team takes on England in Lyon: 15. Leo Barre, 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Gael Fickou, 12. Nicolas Depoortere, 11. Louis Bielle. Biarrey, 10. Thomas Ramos, 9. Nolann Le Garrec; 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Thibaud Flament, 5. Emmanuel Meafou, 6. Francois Cros, 7. Charles Olivon, 8. Gregory Alldritt (c)
Replacements: 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Sebastien Taofifenua, 18. Georges-Henri Colombe, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Alexandre Roumat, 21. Paul Boudehent, 22. Maxime Lucu, 23. Yoram Moefana
13:14 GMT
England’s fitness journey
There were many new things about watching England play last Saturday, but what perhaps went under the radar was their ability to sustain their effort for 80 minutes.
That comes down to improved skills, yes, but more important than that is the terrifying fitness program the players have been subjected to by guru Aled Walters.
Click HERE for an insider’s look at the national team’s fitness revolution.
13:08 GMT
Smith or Ford?
England wouldn’t be England if there wasn’t even a hint of selection drama, even after the fantastic success against Ireland last weekend.
Marcus Smith’s winning drop goal and all-round attacking dynamism were remarkable when he came on in the second half, especially when he was held up with the boot at Twickenham in addition to George Ford’s poor day.
That said, the England hierarchy continue to insist that Ford was at the heart of what was possibly the side’s best attacking performance since the 2021 World Cup semi-final and we expect him to be selected this afternoon.
Comment below in the comments and let us know what you think of the No. 10 jersey.
13:04 GMT
Tuilagi was expected to be mentioned
There is now plenty of confidence in the thought that Manu Tuilagi will get his English swan song this weekend. After thirteen years of service with the national team, Tuilgai is expected to take his talents to a club outside England from next season.
Of course, that means Saturday could be the last time we see him in an England shirt.
12:59 GMT
Another selection
Steve Borthwick names his final team of the Six Nations this afternoon, still bathed in the warm glow of his side’s famous victory over Ireland at Twickenham last Saturday.
For the first time in the tournament, there is real positivity in the air around an England side who put in a decent performance across 80 minutes, both in attack and defence.
That doesn’t mean changes haven’t been suggested. Marcus Smith’s livewire display from the bench on Saturday has led to calls for him to take over the number 10 shirt from George Ford.
However, as reported yesterday, Borthwick wants to avoid unenforced changes and we expect him to name 14 of the 15 players who started last weekend’s victory.
Despite a poor kicking performance, Ford’s accurate passing was a key factor in launching England’s best attacking play in almost five years and it appears Borthwick are prepared to keep faith in the experienced playmaker.
The only player missing is the exciting Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, with the winger self-reporting symptoms of concussion in the aftermath of his sparkling international debut.
“Manny is out with a blow to the head,” England attacking coach Richard Wigglesworth confirmed at Pennyhill Park on Tuesday.
“He felt a bit dizzy, so unfortunately he’s ruled out of the match, but we don’t take any chances with things like that. He’s out, but everyone else has been training.
“He’s obviously upset, but being the smart guy he is, he’s reported his symptoms so we’re not taking any chances,” Wigglesworth added of Feyi-Waboso. “He did the right thing but he is disappointed because he was keen to try and play away in France.”
Elliot Daly looks the most likely candidate for Feyi-Waboso, while there could also be room on the bench for Manu Tuilgai in what could be his final appearance in an England shirt.