England head coach Stuart Lancaster sticks to his guns against France
England coach Stuart Lancaster named an unchanged 23-man squad to face France in Saturday's Six Nations clash at Twickenham. Les Bleus make the trip across the Channel wounded by shock defeats to Italy away and Wales at home - and England will be hoping to inflict further misery on their visitors with the same group that won 12-6 in Ireland last time out. That means no return for Gloucester No 8 Ben Morgan, who missed the hard-fought victory in Dublin due to an ankle injury sustained during England's tournament opener against Scotland. Promising Wasps eight Billy Vunipola had been pressing his claims in training during the week - only to pick up an ankle injury of his own shortly before Lancaster confirmed the squad on Tuesday. "We had to make some close calls but the team did very well in Ireland so we've gone with the same squad against France," Lancaster said. "We are looking forward to getting back to Twickenham against what I am sure will be a highly motivated French team." Lancaster faces a repeat of the centre selection headache that preceded the trip to Ireland after Manu Tuilagi staked his claim to a starting role with a solid appearance off the bench. Forwards: Marler, T Youngs, Cole, Parling, Launchbury, Haskell, Robshaw, Wood, Hartley, Wilson, M Vunipola, Lawes, Waldrom. Backs: Goode, Ashton, Barritt, Twelvetrees, Brown, Farrell, B Youngs, Care, Flood, Tuilagi. Source : http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/8510558/England-coach-Stuart-Lancaster-names-an-unchanged-23-man-squad-to-face-France
Les Bleus make the trip across the Channel wounded by shock defeats to Italy away and Wales at home - and England will be hoping to inflict further misery on their visitors with the same group that won 12-6 in Ireland last time out.
That means no return for Gloucester No 8 Ben Morgan, who missed the hard-fought victory in Dublin due to an ankle injury sustained during England's tournament opener against Scotland.
Promising Wasps eight Billy Vunipola had been pressing his claims in training during the week - only to pick up an ankle injury of his own shortly before Lancaster confirmed the squad on Tuesday.
"We had to make some close calls but the team did very well in Ireland so we've gone with the same squad against France," Lancaster said.
"We are looking forward to getting back to Twickenham against what I am sure will be a highly motivated French team."
Lancaster faces a repeat of the centre selection headache that preceded the trip to Ireland after Manu Tuilagi staked his claim to a starting role with a solid appearance off the bench.
Forwards: Marler, T Youngs, Cole, Parling, Launchbury, Haskell, Robshaw, Wood, Hartley, Wilson, M Vunipola, Lawes, Waldrom.
Backs: Goode, Ashton, Barritt, Twelvetrees, Brown, Farrell, B Youngs, Care, Flood, Tuilagi. Source : http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/8510558/England-coach-Stuart-Lancaster-names-an-unchanged-23-man-squad-to-face-France
