Leaked England XV suggests Anthony Watsons starts and Maro Itoje benched against Wales
Rugby NewsWednesday, 22 February 2023 at 21:57
England lock Maro Itoje could be dropped rom the starting XV for the first time since making his international debut back in 2016.
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The 56-cap lock has struggled for form, but was noticeably improved during England's win against Italy in round two of the 2023 Six Nations.
Former Scotland international Jim Hamilton, who played with the 28-year-old at Saracens, has took a still from a training session that suggests Courtney Lawes could come straight into the XV.
Players who are part of the starting XV traditionally wear white bibs with non starters wearing coloured bibs.
Lawes has been dealing with injuries throughout the season, with his latest calf strain occurring during Northampton’s hosting of La Rochelle last month.
“I’m doing well,” Lawes told Times Radio.
“It’s been one of those seasons where I’ve not been able to stay on the field. When I first did my calf, everyone was thinking it could be a pretty long injury, six to eight weeks, maybe a bit more.
“Luckily, I tore it on the lower end, so it’s [only] a grade two. I should be back, hopefully, for Wales.”
Scrum coach Richard Cockerill has also backed Lawes to return to the fold: “Depending on how he trains, there’s probably no concern over picking him,
“He’s an experienced player and he’s had long injuries previously and come back in and played well for both club and country, so that doesn’t really concern us when it comes to a guy of his stature.”
Expected England 23 to face Wales:
BACK-THREE:
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
14. Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers) for Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish)
Anthony Watson of England during the England Rugby Training camp at the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre, Pennyhill Park on 30 Jan. 2023 Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
11. Max Malins (Saracens)
CENTRES:
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)
HALFBACKS:
10. Owen Farrell (Saracens)
Owen Farrell, Captain of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)
Jack van Poortvliet of England is tackled by Richie Mo’unga of New Zealand during the Autumn International Series match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham, London on 19 November 2022 (Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK)
FRONT-ROW
1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
2. Jamie George (Saracens)
Jamie George of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)
SECOND-ROW
4. Courtney Lawes (Saracens)
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)
Ollie Chessum of England beats the tackle of Matt Fagerson of Scotland during the Six Nations Championship, Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 4th 2023. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
BACK-ROW
6. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints)
7. Jack Willis (Toulouse)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)
Alex Dombrandt of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
REPLACEMENTS
16. Jack Walker (Harlequins)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
19. Maro Itoje (Saracens)
20. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
23. Henry Arundell (London Irish)
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