RugbyU: England recall Parling for France showdown
Wales play away to Italy on Saturday, while Ireland tackle Scotland in Edinburgh
LONDON (AFP) - Leicester lock Geoff Parling was recalled by England head coach Stuart Lancaster on Thursday for Saturday s decisive Six Nations showdown with France at Twickenham.
Parling comes into the second row in place of Dave Attwood, who drops out of the squad, in the only change to the team that overcame Scotland 25-13 last weekend. Harlequins number eight Nick Easter returns to the bench.
"Geoff did well off the bench against Scotland and now that he has got some games under his belt we feel it is the right time to start him and use his experience and quality in the starting line-up," Lancaster said in a statement.
"The same goes for Nick Easter, who has really impressed in camp and in his appearances off the bench. Nick is a quality ball-carrier and great defender -- things we feel we ll need in the latter stages of the game."
Seeking a first Championship success since 2011, England go into the final weekend level on points with Ireland and Wales at the top of the table, but with a points difference advantage of +4 and +25 over their respective pursuers.
Wales play away to Italy on Saturday, while Ireland tackle Scotland in Edinburgh.
England (15-1)
Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Luther Burrell, Jack Nowell; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Billy Vunipola, Chris Robshaw (capt), James Haskell; Courtney Lawes, Geoff Parling; Dan Cole, Dylan Hartley, Joe Marler
Replacements: Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Kieran Brookes, Nick Easter, Tom Wood, Richard Wigglesworth, Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees
