Woodward picks Sam Simmonds in his England XV for Italy clash - Ruck

Woodward picks Sam Simmonds in his England XV for Italy clash

World Cup-winning boss Sir Clive Woodward has selected the dream England XV he’d like to see take on Italy in the Six Nations this weekend.

Picking his team for the Mail Online, stalwarts such as Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs and Billy Vunipola all miss out.

Woodward’s England XV

BACK-THREE:

  • Fullback: Max Malins (Bristol Bears)
  • Winger: Anthony Watson (Bath)
  • Winger: Jonny May (Gloucester)

DID YOU KNOW? Anthony Watson started in all three tests for the Lions in 2017 and was one of the stars of the tour.


CENTRES:

  • Outside-centre: Pier O’Conor (Bristol Bears)
  • Inside-centre: Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)

Woodward said: “Max Malins and Piers O’Conor have been in excellent form for Bristol and have real gas. There is no substitute for it.”

DID YOU KNOW? Slade has Type 1 diabetes, and often injects insulin at half-time in a game

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