Leicester Tigers trio Dan Cole, Tom Youngs and Ben Youngs return to England's starting line-up for Saturday's Test against France in Paris.England head coach Stuart Lancaster makes 14 changes to the side that beat France 19-14 at Twickenham last Saturday in the opening warm-up fixture for this year’s Rugby World Cup with wing Jonny May the only man to start both games.
Cole wins his 51st cap, with scrum-half Ben Youngs taking his collection to 48.
Joe Launchbury plays his first international in 12 months after returning from injury, while Saracens hooker Jamie George is included in the matchday 23 for the first time.
Lancaster said: “Having reviewed last Saturday there were a lot of things we were pleased with considering it was the first game. There is now an opportunity for those not involved or who didn’t get much opportunity from the bench to put a marker down and build on that performance.
"France were very good last weekend and will be even stronger at home and this will be a big test, but these guys have been working hard for the opportunity and are desperate to go out and perform.
“It is a big couple of weeks ahead for all the 39-man squad with the game this weekend and some competitive training sessions to come as we look to narrow down the squad ahead of the World Cup."
Saturday’s game will be shown live from the Stade de France on Sky Sports 1 HD.
England (v France, Stade de France, 8pm BST, Saturday)
15 Mike Brown (Harlequins, 37 caps)
14 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 8 caps)
13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
12 Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints, 12 caps)
11 Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 14 caps)
10 George Ford (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 47 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 31 caps)
2 Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 22 caps)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 50 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 22 caps)
5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 38 caps)
6 James Haskell (Wasps, 59 caps)
7 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, 37 caps)(c)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 18 caps)
Replacements
16 Jamie George (Saracens, uncapped)
17 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 21 caps)
18 David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 42 caps)
19 Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)
20 Nick Easter (Harlequins, 51 caps)
21 Danny Care (Harlequins, 51 caps)
22 Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks, 13 caps)
23 Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 21 caps)
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Tigers take French test with England
18 August 2015 5:05 PM

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