<
>

Six Nations: Chris Ashton in for Jack Nowell as England make two changes for France

Chris Ashton is set to make his first Six Nations start since England's defeat to Wales in the final round of the 2013 tournament. Brian Lawless/PA Images via Getty Images

England have made two changes ahead of Sunday's Six Nations clash against France with Chris Ashton and Courtney Lawes both starting.

Ashton starts on the wing ahead of Jack Nowell, who is named among the replacements, while Lawes comes in for the injured Maro Itoje.

Ashton, who has scored 20 tries in 43 international appearances, came off the bench against Ireland in Dublin last week, but has not started a Six Nations match since 2013.

Eddie Jones has also made a series of changes to the bench with Ben Moon, Dan Cole and Joe Launchbury all included as England look to back up their win at Ireland with another at Twickenham.

Manu Tuilagi will line up against France's Mathieu Bastareaud, who is one of six changes to Jacques Brunel's side from their opening defeat to Wales.

Bastareaud starts alongside Geoffrey Doumayrou in midfield while Gael Fickou is on the wing, with Yoann Huget moving to fullback.

Prop Demba Bamba, who came off the bench against Wales, will make his first Six Nations start in the front row. Lock Felix Lambey and flanker Yacouba Camara also come into the pack.

Morgan Parra and Camille Lopez retain their place at 9 and 10 but under-20s star Romain Ntamack is dropped to the bench after making his full debut last weekend.

France were defeated 24-19 by Wales in Paris in their opening game, after the home side were 16-0 up at halftime.

England team to face France

15. Elliot Daly, 14. Chris Ashton, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Jonny May, 10. Owen Farrell (c), 9. Ben Youngs; 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Jamie George, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Courtney Lawes, 5. George Kruis, 6. Mark Wilson, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Billy Vunipola

Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Ben Moon, 18. Dan Cole, 19. Joe Launchbury, 20. Nathan Hughes, 21. Dan Robson, 22. George Ford, 23. Jack Nowell

France team to face England

15. Yoann Huget, 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Mathieu Bastareaud, 12. Geoffrey Doumayrou, 11. Gaël Fickou, 10. Camille Lopez, 9. Morgan Parra; 1. Jefferson Poirot, 2. Guilhem Guirado (c), 3. Demba Bamba, 4. Sébastien Vahaamahina, 5. Félix Lambey, 6. Yacouba Camara, 7. Arthur Iturria, 8. Louis Picamoles

Replacements: 16. Pierre Bourgarit, 17. Dany Priso, 18. Dorian Aldegheri, 19. Paul Willemse, 20. Gregory Alldritt, 21. Antoine Dupont, 22. Romain Ntamack, 23. Thomas Ramos