England Saxons kick off the weekend’s fixtures as they face Ireland A at Donnybrook on Friday (7.35pm), with Tigers No8 Jordan Crane continuing in the second row. Tigers prop Dan Cole is also in the 22.
Ben Youngs and Will Hurrell start for England Under-20s against their Italian counterparts at Worcester’s Sixways Stadium on Friday (8pm), with full-back Greig Tonks on the bench.
Harry Ellis has been withdrawn from the Saxons squad and will instead win his 23rd senior cap as he starts the opening RBS 6 Nations match of the campaign against Italy at Twickenham on Saturday (3pm) after injury ruled out Danny Care. Colleagues Julian White and Tom Croft are on the England bench, while Martin Castrogiovanni is named at tighthead prop for the visitors.
Geordan Murphy will gain his 60th senior cap if he earns a run-out from the replacements’ bench in Ireland’s Six Nations opener against France on Saturday (5pm). Benjamin Kayser is among the French replacements as he looks to add to his five senior caps.
