England v Georgia: Jack Willis to make debut in Autumn Nations Cup

Willis suffered a serious knee injury in 2018, days after he was called up for England's tour of South Africa

Wasps' Jack Willis will make his England debut against Georgia in the Autumn Nations Cup on Saturday, while Ollie Lawrence gets a first Test start.

Willis lines up at open-side flanker with Maro Itoje on the blind-side and Billy Vunipola at number eight.

Lawrence, who came off the bench for his debut in the Six Nations win over Italy, is at outside centre and partners Henry Slade in the midfield.

Uncapped Bristol back Max Malins is named among the replacements.

"Georgia will be a tough opponent, so we have a team with some real power in midfield," said head coach Eddie Jones.

"We have a good mix of youth and experience across the squad and they are completely focused on putting in an excellent performance on Saturday."

After being denied a first international cap in 2018 because of injury, 23-year-old Willis impressed on the domestic scene last season, winning three top awards as Wasps reached the Premiership final.

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"Jack couldn't have had more accolades this season, but he will continue to get his head down and work hard, that is all he really knows," said Wasps captain Joe Launchbury, who lines up alongside Charlie Ewels in the second row.

Lawrence was a 67th-minute replacement for Jonathan Joseph in the win over Italy a fortnight ago

Ellis Genge, Jamie George and Will Stuart complete the forwards, with prop Stuart making his first England start.

Ben Youngs and Owen Farrell are the half-backs, while Elliot Daly returns at full-back with Jonathan Joseph and Jonny May on the wings.

For Georgia, Sandro Svanidze will win his first cap on the wing, while Merab Sharikadze captains the side at centre.

'Tough' Willis ready for first start

Willis has been given his opportunity at open-side flanker as regular starter Sam Underhill is rested.

The 23-year-old was particularly impressive at the breakdown for Wasps last season, claiming 46 turnovers during the campaign that saw the side reach the Premiership final.

"Jack has got a good nose for the ball. He gets himself into good positions. He's got good natural strength - he's not a gym-strength person - and he's flipping tough," Jones said.

"Turnovers are the highlight part of his game, but he's also a good defender and he's an attacker that gets his hands on the ball.

"He's one of the few forwards in English rugby who is good at 'pick and go', so he brings that to the game."

Lawrence will help 'build depth' in centres

Worcester centre Lawrence made his England debut in October's Six Nations victory against Italy and now gets his first start in the continued absence of Manu Tuilagi.

Jones said the 21-year-old had been working especially well with fellow back Jonathan Joseph, with the older player "helpful in educating" Lawrence.

"We are looking to build depth in that position. It's not a position where we've got great depth without Manu Tuilagi there, so we are looking to build depth," Jones added.

"Lawrence is a powerful young centre so we want him to bring that ability to dent the line, create momentum and for us to be able to play off the back of that."

Line-ups

England: Daly; Joseph, Lawrence, Slade, May; Farrell (capt), Youngs; Genge, George, Stuart, Launchbury, Ewels, Itoje, Willis, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Dunn, M Vunipola, Sinckler, Earl, Curry, Robson, Malins, Marchant.

Georgia: Khmaladze; Tabutsadze, Kveseladze, Sharikadze (capt), Svanidze; Abzhandadze, Aprasidze; Nariashvili, Mamukashvili, Gigashvili, Jaiani, Kerdikoshvili, Saginadze, Tkhilaishvili, Gorgadze.

Replacements: Bregvadze, Gogichashvili, Kaulashvili, Giorgadze, Jalaghonia, Lobzhanidze, Tapladze, Todua.

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