The Bath Rugby midfielder came on for his eighth cap in Round 1 as his country suffered a defeat to Scotland but has been promoted to the 12 jersey for the match-up with the Azzurri.

It will be Lawrence’s sixth start at senior international level, half of which have come from inside centre.

The 23-year-old debuted against the Italians as a replacement in October 2020 and scored on his last start in a win over USA in the summer of 2021.

He has featured 12 times for Bath Rugby to date this season with his impressive performances rewarded in November as he was voted the Gallagher Player of the Month.

England v Italy is live on ITV and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.

England XV to play Italy: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Max Malins, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Jack van Poortvliet; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Ollie Chessum, 6 Lewis Ludlum, 7 Jack Willis, 8 Alex Dombrandt

Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Henry Arundell

WATCH INTERNATIONAL ACTION AT THE REC

England Under-20s are coming to The Rec in March, taking on France Under-20s in Round 4.

If you want to watch the country’s future in action against the talented French, get yourself a ticket for the fixture taking place on Friday 10 March (kick-off 20:00).

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Lawrence to start for England against Italy

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