England axe Cokanasiga for Scotland clash

Joe Cokanasiga has been dropped from England’s matchday 23 for their final Six Nations game against Scotland, despite turning in a man-of-the-match display against Italy last weekend.

Cokanasiga was a standout performer on his full tournament debut as England overpowered Italy, but the Bath wing does not even make the bench on this occasion as Jack Nowell returns.

Henry Slade, Ben Moon and Mark Wilson are the other players to be recalled by Eddie Jones, with Ben Te’o, Ellis Genge and Brad Shields dropping to the bench.

England can still win the championship by beating Scotland, providing Wales lose to Ireland on Saturday. A victory for Wales would secure a Grand Slam for Warren Gatland’s men, while Ireland also have a chance of retaining the Six Nations title if they triumph in Cardiff.

Your England team to face @Scotlandteam on Saturday in the #GuinnessSixNations

Full preview https://t.co/JhFUWgmbgF#ENGvSCO #CarryThemHome pic.twitter.com/sL014nXlRT

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 14, 2019

“It is the last week of the tournament so it’s exciting,” Jones said. “It will be a fascinating finish to the championship with three teams that can win it and we are playing against one of our most traditional foes in Scotland for the Calcutta Cup.

“Scotland is a difficult side. They are always at you, they play with a lot of enthusiasm and effort and have got a lot of attacking strings to their bow.

“Finn Russell is an exceptional player at 10 and they have got some pace on the outside so we are going to have to defend really well against them.”

Starting number nine Ben Youngs will become England’s most capped scrum-half on Saturday, overtaking Danny Care with his 85th outing.

“It is a fantastic achievement,” added Jones. “It takes a lot of dedication and hard work and [it is] something he and his family will be really proud of. I am sure he will do the shirt great justice.”

England team to face Scotland: Elliot Daly, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Jonny May, Owen Farrell (captain), Ben Youngs; Ben Moon, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Joe Launchbury, George Kruis, Mark Wilson, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Dan Cole, Brad Shields, Nathan Hughes, Ben Spencer, George Ford, Ben Te’o.

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