England have sprung a surprise by selecting Chris Ashton in place of Jack Nowell for Sunday's Guinness Six Nations clash with France at Twickenham.
Nowell impressed in the 32-20 victory over Ireland in Dublin but has lost his spot on the right wing to Ashton, the Top 14 record try-scorer who makes his first Championship start since 2013.
"We have gone for Chris Ashton on the wing because we think he might sneak us a try early in the game," head coach Eddie Jones said.
"Jack Nowell was brilliant against Ireland and he'll play a significant role for us off the bench."
Your England team to face France on Sunday in the #GuinnessSixNations
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 8, 2019
K.O 15:00 GMT, LIVE on @ITV.
Preview ➡ https://t.co/5Ovvau7823#ENGvFRA #CarryThemHome 🌹 pic.twitter.com/nQD44UMqha
The second change to the starting XV sees Courtney Lawes partner George Kruis at lock after Maro Itoje was struck down by a knee injury at the Aviva Stadium. Filling the vacancy on the bench created by Lawes' promotion is Joe Launchbury.
Itoje was expected to be missing until the final rounds of the tournament but Jones has revealed he might be back sooner than expected from his grade two medial ligament tear.
"It's unfortunate Maro is injured but he has been rehabbing well so we are hopeful he will be back earlier than maybe first predicted," Jones said.
"We have got great depth in the squad so Joe Launchbury and Courtney Lawes will fill his shoes very well."
Apart from the presence of Nowell and Launchbury, there are two more changes to the bench in the shape of props Dan Cole and Ben Moon who have displaced Harry Williams and Ellis Genge.
Neither flanker Brad Shields nor wing Joe Cokanasiga have made the matchday 23 despite recovering from respective side and knee injuries.
England have triumphed in nine of their last 12 Six Nations games against France and have not lost to their old foes at Twickenham since 2005.
