Six Nations: England hand Mako Vunipola first start, Croft on bench
 

Saracens prop Mako Vunipola has been handed his first start as England make five changes for Sunday's Six Nations match against Italy at Twickenham.

Flanker Tom Croft is on the bench after 11 months out with a neck injury.

The other changes in the starting XV are half-backs Toby Flood and Danny Care, while there are also recalls for forwards James Haskell and Tom Youngs.

Mako Vunipola factfile
Mako Vunipola
  • Born 13/1/1991 Wellington, New Zealand
  • 1998 - Relocates to Wales after father Fe'ao signs for Pontypool
  • 2009-10 season - Makes Bristol debut after progressing through club's academy
  • 2010 - Promoted to England Under-20 squad
  • March 2011 - Part of England Under-20 side that wins the Grand Slam
  • July 2011 - Joins Saracens after 33 appearances for Bristol, including five tries
  • November 12 - Makes full England debut against Fiji

    Mako Vunipola's younger brother Billy, who is in the wider squad, misses out on a place on the bench.

    Flood comes in for the injured Owen Farrell, with Freddie Burns called into the replacements.

    Haskell and Tom Youngs replace Courtney Lawes and Dylan Hartley respectively, with the Northampton pair dropping to the bench, where they are joined by Joe Marler and Ben Youngs, who both started in the win against France.

    Defensive lynch-pin Brad Barritt retains his place at inside-centre, with Billy Twelvetrees among the replacements.

    Mako, who was born in New Zealand, and Billy, 20, born in Australia, are sons of the former Tonga captain Fe'ao.

    When they first moved to Britain they lived in Wales before subsequently moving to England, and both could have played for the Welsh alongside cousin and number eight Toby Faletau.

    Mako Vunipola said making his first start will be "a great occasion for me and my family".

    Speaking before the selection announcement he added: "The dream for us is to be out there together for my family. Hopefully one day that will happen."

    England team to face Italy: 15. Alex Goode (Saracens, 9 caps); 14. Chris Ashton (Saracens, 32 caps), 13. Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 19 caps), 12. Brad Barritt (Saracens, 14 caps), 11. Mike Brown (Harlequins, 14 caps); 10. Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers, 55 caps), 9. Danny Care (Harlequins, 39 caps); 1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 7 caps), 2. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps), 3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 38 caps), 4. Joe Launchbury (London Wasps, 7 caps), 5. Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps), 6. James Haskell (London Wasps, 48 caps), 7. Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt, 15 caps), 8. Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 16 caps)

    Replacements: 16. Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints, 45 caps), 17. David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 24 caps), 18. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 8 caps), 19. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 18 caps), 20. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers, 36 caps), 21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps), 22. Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap), 23. Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 2 caps)

     

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