England and Italy meet at Under-21

Up towards the Alps

Italy and England meet at Under-21 level on Thursday night in Biella, an industrial centre in Piedmont..

England are coming off a victory over Wales while Italy were heavily (34-9) beaten by Ireland in the opening round of Six Nations.

England's coach Jim Mallinder has changed his winning team.

Shane Geraghty starts at fullback in place of injured Olly Morgan. Thom Evans comes onto the bench in Geraghty's place.

James Haskell and Topsy Ojo swap with Chris Robeshaw and James Hoyle respectively.

Mallinder said of the changes: "Ojo,  Haskell and Geraghty all impressed from the bench and it will be good for all three of them to get some more game time. I'm pleased for Thom too,  he’s looked sharp in training and deserves this chance."

England: 15 Shane Geraghty (London Irish), 14 Topsy Ojo (London Irish), 13 Matt Cornwell (Leicester Tigers) (captain), 12 Anthony Allen (Gloucester), 11 Mike Brown (Harlequins), 10 Ryan Lamb (Gloucester),  9 Ben Foden (Sale Sharks),  8 Jordan Crane (Leeds Tykes), 7 Michael Hills (Sale Sharks), 6 James Haskell (London Wasps), 5 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers),  4 Richard Blaze (Worcester Warriors),  3 David Wilson (Newcastle Falcons),  2 Chris Brooker (Bath), 1 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs (Sale Sharks), 17 Mark Lambert (Harlequins), 18 Tom Ryder (Saracens), 19 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), 20 Nick Runciman (Worcester Warriors), 21 James Hoyle (Newcastle Falcons), 22 Thom Evans (London Wasps)