Mako Vunipola returns from injury to start; George Kruis replaces Charlie Ewels in second row; Lewis Ludlam in for Courtney Lawes
Thursday 6 February 2020 20:51, UK
Willi Heinz has replaced scrum-half Ben Youngs in the England side to face Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday as Eddie Jones makes five changes after last week's 24-17 loss to France.
Elsewhere, the injured Manu Tuilagi is replaced by Jonathan Joseph at outside-centre, with skipper Owen Farrell also remaining in midfield, leaving George Ford at 10.
In the forwards, loosehead prop Mako Vunipola makes a welcome return from an eye injury to start, as Joe Marler drops from the squad entirely, while lock George Kruis replaces Charlie Ewels in the second row - the latter also dropping from the 23-man squad.
In the back-row, Lewis Ludlam starts on the blindside ahead of Courtney Lawes, who drops to the bench, while Jones has persisted with Tom Curry - ordinarily a flanker - in the No 8 slot.
The standout change to the team comes in the half-backs though as 95-cap Youngs drops to bench, and Gloucester's four-cap, 33-year-old Heinz comes in to start.
Among the replacements, there are two uncapped players named as Bath hooker Tom Dunn and Saracens back-row Ben Earl could earn their Test debuts, while Wasps lock Joe Launchbury and Exeter centre Ollie Devoto are also selected.
England, who lost 25-13 on their last visit to Scotland in 2018, go in search of a return to winning ways following last week's defeat to a highly energised and youthful Les Bleus side in the French capital.
In Paris, Jones' side were second best in almost all departments for 50 minutes, falling 24-0 behind before registering two tries and a penalty in response.
Several players appear to have paid the price for that performance, however, specifically in the form of Marler and Ewels, while Youngs drops out of the starting team following questions marks over his place for some time.
England: 15 George Furbank, 14 Jonny May, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell (c), 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Willi Heinz; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Tom Curry
Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Courtney Lawes, 21 Ben Earl, 22 Ben Youngs, 23 Ollie Devoto.
Analysis from Sky Sports News reporter James Cole...
As much as Eddie Jones insists that Ben Youngs dropping to the bench is merely a "change of roles", it appears much more than that.
It's a very significant admission from the England coach that his team lacked control, accuracy and leadership against France in Paris.
Jones will always protect his players - and rightly so. Which is why the contradiction between what he says to the media - and what he does - can often leave many scratching their heads.
But the fact is that Youngs has started nearly every game under Jones. What's more, England's game-plan has often centred around the scrum-half and his kicking game.
In Paris, though, Youngs looked out of sorts and often personified England's woes. For that reason he's become a 'finisher' - but not 'dropped'.
The five changes (one enforced) aren't 'sweeping' - but for Jones to change his first-choice No 9 for the trip to Murrayfield is a huge call.
Another area where England struggled against France was at No 8. Jones has subsequently been heavily criticised for playing flanker Tom Curry there.
The Australian has stood by that decision - and indeed Curry wears the jersey again. But the inclusion of Northampton's Lewis Ludlam and Saracens' Ben Earl (on the bench) for the Scotland trip suggests that maybe, just maybe, Jones has a plan B at the base.
In the strong wind and driving rain of Murrayfield, all will become clear.
