Six Nations: Chris Ashton and Courtney Lawes will start for England against France



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England's Chris Ashton will start in the Six Nations for the first time in six years against France on Sunday at Twickenham, as visitors recalled center Mathieu Bastareaud for the clash.

Ashton replaced Jack Nowell on the right wing Friday (NZT Saturday). Nowell is in the reserves.

"We think it could tempt us a try early in the game," coach Eddie Jones said of Ashton. "Jack Nowell has been brilliant against Ireland and he will play an important role for us on the bench."

The only other change for England after his stunning 32 to 20 victory over Ireland in Dublin last weekend was Courtney Lawes, replacing Lock Lock, Maro Itoje, who damaged the ligaments in his right knee.

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On the reserve, props Dan Cole and Ben Moon entered, accompanied by Joe Launchbury, who overcame knee and neck injuries that excluded him from the November series.

England's Chris Ashton, on the right, celebrates Henry Slade's test against Ireland with Manu Tuilagi, left.

DAN MULLAN / GETTY IMAGES

England's Chris Ashton, on the right, celebrates Henry Slade's test against Ireland with Manu Tuilagi, left.

Cole, the British lion, could make his first appearance for England in a year after addressing the weaknesses under Jones' instruction.

Bastareaud was one of six changes made by France after losing to Wales 24-19 in Paris.

"It seems appropriate to bring him home and start it because it seems like an important option for us against England," coach Jacques Brunel said.

"We know the impact that Mathieu can have and face the English force in the midfield, including Manu Tuilagi, it could have a positive impact."

Bastareaud is paired with midfielder Geoffrey Doumayrou, who was on the bench against Wales. Wesley Fofana was completely left out, as Bastareaud was last week.

Roman Center Ntamack, who made his debut against Wales, was relegated to the bench.

In a change of position, Yoann Huget went from left wing to defender, Gael Fickou making his entry into the left wing. Huget retains his place in a reshaped rear line, despite the fact that winger George North was tempted by a neglected mistake against Wales at the Stade de France.

"Yoann has played a lot at the back post before he alternates between the two positions," Brunel said. "I do not worry about Sunday because he knows how to play here."

Brunel kept the faith with the pairing of the first five-eighths, Camille Lopez and half-defender Morgan Parra, although both missed single-goal kicks against Wales.

The other three changes concerned the attackers, where Yacouba Camara replaced Wenceslas Lauret on the flanker; Felix Lambey was in place of Paul Willemse and Demba Bamba instead of Uini Atonio.

It is a brave decision to choose Bamba as the mainstay for such an important match in front of Atonio, who has 32 caps, all the while Bamba has only two international appearances on the bench and that 's the same. he will face Mako Vunipola.

"He has a little experience, even though he has not played a lot for us and he has come up against some good players," Brunel said.

"We have a small problem [at prop] because there are a lot of foreign players in our league. & # 39; & # 39;

Brunel, who has lost nine of his 12 games since taking office a little over a year ago, also shook the reserve with new faces on the bench.

From one eyebolt

England: Elliot Daly, Chris Ashton, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Jonny May, Owen Farrell (captain), Ben Youngs; Billy Vunipola, Tom Curry, Mark Wilson, George Kruis, Courtney Lawes, Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George and Mako Vunipola. Reservations: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Moon, Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, Nathan Hughes, Dan Robson, George Ford, Jack Nowell.

La France: Yoann Huget, Damian Penaud, Mathieu Bastareaud, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Gael Fickou, Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra; Louis Picamoles, Arthur Iturria, Yacouba Camara, Felix Lambey, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Demba Bamba, Guilhem Guirado (captain), Jefferson Poirot. Reserves: Pierre Bourgarit, Dany Priso, Dorian Aldegheri, Paul Willemse, Grégory Alldritt, Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack, Thomas Ramos.

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