England men’s head coach has selected four Bath Rugby players in his side to play France in England’s opening match of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations in Paris on Sunday (kick-off 15:00, live on BBC).
Sam Underhill and Charlie Ewels will both start, at openside flanker and second row respectively, while prop Will Stuart looks likely to earn his first England cap from the bench, where he is joined by Jonathan Joseph.
Stuart is one of two uncapped players in the matchday 23 alongside fullback George Furbank.
Going into his fifth Guinness Six Nations as England head coach, Jones said: “It has been a massively exciting week for us. It is the start of the Guinness Six Nations, the best rugby tournament in the world. We have had a great preparation in Portugal with a quality training week this week.
“France can expect absolute brutality from England, we are going to go out there to make sure they understand what Test rugby is. It is about being brutal, it is about being physical and it is about dominating the set piece.”
Bath Rugby’s Stuart Hooper said: "We're proud and excited to see four of our Bath lads in Eddie Jones' matchday 23 for England's opener against France in the Guinness Six Nations.
“Charlie has worked really hard to get back in the mix for England and thoroughly deserves to be in the starting XV, while Sam has become a key part of Eddie’s set-up.
“We know JJ can make a huge impact coming off the bench and I’m particularly proud to see Will Stuart in line to get his first England cap.
“It’s going to be a great weekend of rugby, with eight of our Bath players appearing for England and Wales in both the U20s and Senior matches. I can’t wait to see how they get on in their national shirts. We’ll all be cheering them on!"
England last played France in the 2019 edition of the tournament, beating Les Bleus 44-8 at Twickenham Stadium. Under Jones, England have won two of the last four Guinness Six Nations including a Grand Slam in 2016.
England team to face France
1. Joe Marler
2. Jamie George
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Maro Itoje
5. Charlie Ewels
6. Courtney Lawes
7. Sam Underhill
8. Tom Curry
9. Ben Youngs
10. George Ford
11. Elliot Daly
12. Owen Farrell (C)
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Jonny May
15. George Furbank
Finishers
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Ellis Genge
18. Will Stuart
19. George Kruis
20. Lewis Ludlam
21. Willi Heinz
22. Ollie Devoto
23. Jonathan Joseph
