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/esi/1339/6_G_4_36804/index.html?art_id=388244&game_id=36804&sport_id=4&ESI

Jones talks up "impressive young fella" Furbank ahead of England debut

:Headline: Jones talks up 'impressive young fella' Furbank ahead of England debut: ID:388244: from db_amp
The Northampton full-back will start against France in the Six Nations opener.
PA | 22d

Eddie Jones insists George Furbank has the necessary composure to make his England debut in the hostile environment of the Stade de France on Sunday.

In a selection that appears to signal the end of Elliot Daly's 18-month spell at full-back, Furbank has been given the number 15 jersey on the strength of his exhilarating form for Northampton.

A reshuffle of the back three enforced by Anthony Watson's calf injury sees Daly move to the left wing and Jonny May line up on the right for the Guinness Six Nations showdown in Paris.

"George is just a good rugby player. He reads the game well, he's decisive, has good core skills, runs good lines. He's a very impressive young fella," Jones said.

"He's been very confident from what I've seen of him. He handles the pressure of games and handles the pressure of training.

"Nothing seems to faze him too much so he'll just get on with it, I believe."

Furbank has propelled himself into the Test team after catching Jones' eye on Northampton duty and during his week at England's pre-Six Nations camp in Portugal.

Owen Farrell has been testing him in training in the Algarve and has been impressed by his response.

Owen Farrell, left, has praised his new team-mate (Adam Davy/PA)

"George is very calm, which is a big strength, especially at full-back," the England captain and fly-half said.

"We trained against each other quite a lot over the course of this camp and any time anyone has seemed to put him under pressure, he's been at his calmest. It gives off a brilliant feeling."

Daly was exposed during last autumn's World Cup final defeat by South Africa and had Watson not succumbed to the injury with which he entered camp, he might have been dislodged at full-back by his rival from Bath rather than Furbank.

Mako Vunipola is missing from the matchday 23 completely and Jones insists the Lions prop is being rested with the round two trip to Edinburgh six days later the target for his return.

Mako Vunipola misses out (Steven Paston/PA)

Vunipola missed training on Wednesday with an eye injury but Jones insisted that was not the reason for his absence from the Paris opener.

Joe Marler deputises at loosehead prop as one of three changes in personnel to the side toppled 32-12 by the Springboks in Yokohama.

Charlie Ewels comes into the second row to partner Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes moves to blindside flanker, with Tom Curry replacing broken-arm victim Billy Vunipola at number eight.

Bath prop Will Stuart is set to be the second uncapped player to make his debut at the Stade de France after being picked on the bench.

"The team has gelled together really well with a nice blend of youth and experience, the two young guys coming in who have earned their spurs in the first camp," Jones said.

"We're excited. It's a good team playing in front of 80,000 at the Stade de France against a young French side."

amp_article_388244 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-01-31 13:31:34:
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2Manchester CityMan City27183668293957
3Leicester CityLeicester27155754272750
4Chelsea2713594537844
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs2711794436840
6Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd27101072925440
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd2610883829938
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12Southampton27104133448-1434
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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool26251061154676
2Manchester CityMan City27183668293957
3Leicester CityLeicester27155754272750
4Chelsea2713594537844
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs2711794436840
6Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd27101072925440
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd2610883829938
8Burnley27114123339-637
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2681263532336
10Everton26106103438-436
11Arsenal2671363634234
12Southampton27104133448-1434
13Crystal Palace2789102432-833
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2787122441-1731
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton27610113239-728
16Bournemouth2775152643-1726
17Aston Villa2774163452-1825
18West Ham UnitedWest Ham2666143045-1524
19Watford2659122440-1624
20Norwich CityNorwich2646162448-2418
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