Manu Tuilagi on England bench as Eddie Jones names unchanged XV to face Wales

By Brian Dodds

Manu Tuilagi makes his return to the England squad after a long series of injury setbacks. He says he's now fit and ready to go

Eddie Jones has named Manu Tuilagi on England's bench for Saturday's crunch Six Nations clash against Wales at Twickenham.

Leicester centre Tuilagi is part of Jones' match-day squad for the first time since the Australian replaced Stuart Lancaster as coach, with England and Wales the two remaining unbeaten sides in the competition.

England fans will be delighted to see that Eddie Jones has named Manu Tuilagi on the bench for Saturday's crunch clash against Wales at Twickenham

Jones has named an unchanged starting XV against Warren Gatland's side in a repeat of their enthralling World Cup Pool A match which Wales won 28-25, but Tuilagi is one of four changes to the bench.

The 24-year-old replaces Alex Goode while tight-head prop Kieran Brookes is selected ahead of Northampton Saints club-mate Paul Hill.

Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has warned England coach Eddie Jones not to push centre Manu Tuilagi too hard

Exeter's Luke Cowan-Dickie comes in for Jamie George, who ruptured a tendon in his left bicep while training on Tuesday and Joe Launchbury is fit enough for a place on the bench.

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Jones said: "We've picked our best 23 to get the job done on Saturday. The squad have prepared well this week and I'm happy with how things have progressed.

Wales rugby head coach Warren Gatland says it was an easy decision to pick the same team for the Six Nations clash against England

"Manu Tuilagi's selection to the match day squad is based more on potential than his recent performances in the Premiership. He has trained well this week and I am pleased with what I've seen.

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"It was a tight call between Kieran Brookes and Paul Hill, who have pushed each other hard, but Kieran gets the nod for Saturday.

Manu Tuilagi's selection to the match day squad is based more on potential than his recent performances.
Eddie Jones

"It is a shame that Jamie George misses out through injury and we wish him well in his recovery, but it provides a great opportunity for Luke Cowan-Dickie to show what he's about.

"There is a huge amount to play for on Saturday and we are looking forward to being back at home in front of a vocal Twickenham crowd."  

Image: Mike Brown scores England's second try in the win over Ireland

England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jack Nowell, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 3 Dan Cole, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 James Haskell, 8 Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Jack Clifford, 21 Danny Care, 22 Manu Tuilagi, 23 Elliot Daly.

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