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England coach Eddie Jones says Mako Vunipola and Courtney Lawes may start against Italy

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Phil Edwards goes behind the scenes and gets unprecedented access to watch England train for their game against Italy this weekend

Prop Mako Vunipola and second row Courtney Lawes may be set to start for England when they face Italy in Rome in the Six Nations on Sunday.

The duo were both part of the apparent first-choice pack which got through some serious work at the end of an intense training session in Bagshot on Wednesday.

The Sky Sports News HQ cameras were given unprecedented access to the work-out and, although the personnel in the two packs was swapped around, the formation that finished the session may prove the most significant.

Mako Vunipola played a full part in Wednesday's training session
Image: Mako Vunipola played a full part in Wednesday's training session

If that proves correct, Saracens forward Vunipola, who came off the bench and helped create a Jack Nowell try at Murrayfield on Saturday, may come in at loose-head for Joe Marler.

And Northampton lock Lawes, who also came off the bench during the 15-9 win over the Scots, appears poised to start in place of Joe Launchbury.

The England pack were put through an intense session ahead of their trip to Italy
Image: The England pack were put through an intense session ahead of their trip to Italy

Strictly going by the colours of the bibs the players were wearing in the training session, Leicester's Ben Youngs is going to be the starting scrum-half, taking the place of Danny Care.

And exciting youngsters Maro Itoje of Saracens and Harlequins' Jack Clifford could be on the bench, as England look to play with more pace and tempo.

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New coach Eddie Jones got his reign off to an ideal start with the hard-fought success over Scotland last weekend.

And England will be hot favourites to make it two wins from two when they face Italy, who narrowly lost their opener in France, at 2pm on Sunday afternoon.

The England team announcement will be on Friday at 10am - tune into Sky Sports News HQ for full coverage.

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