Joe Marchant will make his full debut in England’s final game before the World Cup amid growing concern for Henry Slade, writes Alex Spink in Treviso.
Midfield ace Slade has now missed all four of England’s warm-up games with a knee injury and Eddie Jones’ men kick off their Pool C campaign in 20 days.
Marchant, the Harlequins centre, has two caps to his name but only a combined 10 minutes of playing time in senior international rugby. He is also not a member of England's World Cup squad.
Against Italy at Newcastle’s St James’ Park on Friday night, Piers Francis will take the senior midfield role, on the strength of his three starts.
Ruaridh McConnochie hopes to finally get his Test debut, ahead of Sunday's squad departure for Japan. He has twice previously been selected but been forced to withdraw injured prior to kick off on both occasions.
Jones opts for his first-choice half-backs with Owen Farrell and Ben Youngs starting. Anthony Watson starts at fullback for the first time in more than a year.
England
15 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 35 caps)
14 Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
13 Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 2 caps)
12 Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 46 caps)
10 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 72 caps) C
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 88 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 61 caps)
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 39 caps)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 88 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 60 caps)
5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 74 caps)
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 12 caps)
7 Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons/Sale Sharks, 14 caps)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 44 caps)
Replacements:
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 14 caps)
17 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 11 caps )
18 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 24 caps)
19 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
20 Matt Kvesic (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps)
21 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 3 caps)
22 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 58 caps)
23 Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 7 caps)
