| venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome date: Saturday, February 3rd kick off: 14:15 GMT |
| coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra. Live text on the BBC Sport website and app. Watch live on ITV |
Ethan Roots and Fraser Dingwall will make their England debuts against Italy in Rome on Saturday during the opening weekend of the Six Nations.
Dingwall will be named inside center alongside the returning Henry Slade, while Roots will start at blindside flanker.
Experienced George Ford will lead England's attack from fly-half.
England head coach Steve Borthwick also named the uncapped trio of Chandler Cunningham-South, Finn Smith and Immanuel Fay-Waboso on the bench.
Hooker Jamie George's captaincy begins at Roma, while Tommy Freeman was praised for his impressive form as a starting winger to propel Northampton Saints to the top of the Premiership.
“After a great week of preparation in Girona, we are looking forward to the challenge of facing Italy in Rome,” said Borthwick.
“The Azzurri are a dangerous team with talented ball carriers and players who like to find space.
“We need to make the right decisions, be disciplined and maintain the intensity of our performance until the first whistle.”
England: Steward; Freeman, Slade, Dingwall, Daly. Ford, Mitchell. Marler, George (captain), Stuart, Itoje, Chetham, Roots, Underhill, Earl.
Replacement: Dunn, Genge, Cole, Coles, Cunningham-South, Care, F. Smith, Fay-Waboso.
More to come.
