England captain Owen Farrell is expected to be withdrawn from the firing line by Steve Borthwick for Saturday’s clash with Ireland despite being cleared to play.
According to The Telegraph, it is understood that all England’s team planning this week has worked on the basis that Farrell will not start, with George Ford to take the No 10 shirt.
The ‘Bunker’ review system resulted in an elevation of Farrell’s yellow card to a red card following a high tackle on Taine Basham.
Nonetheless, during the assessment by a disciplinary panel, they noted a shift in the dynamics of the contact zone as a mitigating factor.
The panel explained that the participation of England’s Jamie George in the tackle influenced Basham’s change in trajectory.
Meanwhile, Courtney Lawes is in line to captain the side against Ireland in Farrell’s absence, with Jack Willis and Jack Walker set to make first starts of the summer.
England team to play Ireland: (Confirmed)
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 24 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (unattached, 55 caps)
13. Joe Marchant (Stade Francais, 17 caps)
12. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 51 caps)
11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 58 caps)
10. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 83 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 123 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 50 caps)