Rugby
ESPN staff 6y

George Ford one of seven dropped by England for Ireland clash

Rugby, Six Nations

George Ford has been dropped for England's Six Nations clash with Ireland after Eddie Jones made seven changes to his starting lineup.

It is the first time since 2014 Six Nations that Ford has not started at fly-half for England but after back-to-back defeats in the Championship, Jones has opted for Owen Farrell at 10. 

Farrell last played a Six Nations game at 10 in March 2014 against Italy, and will combine at half-back with Saracens teammate Richard Wigglesworth.

Dylan Hartley returns in the front row, while injuries to Nathan Hughes and Courtney Lawes mean Sam Simmonds and James Haskell come into the backrow. 

"We can't wait to get back to Twickenham and play there," Jones said. "We have had a couple of tough games on the road and to get back and play in front of our 24th man will be exciting for the players and they will be looking forward to putting in a good performance.

"Ireland is a very good team. We have seen in every game the physical contest has been quite enormous so we have to meet that physical challenge and then play smart tactically."

England team to face Ireland

Watson, May, Joseph, Te'o, Daly, Farrell, Wigglesworth; Vunipola, Hartley, Sinckler, Itoje, Kruis, Robshaw, Haskell, Simmonds

Replacements: George, Marler, Cole, Launchbury, Armand, Care, Ford, Brown.

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