\n<\/p>\n
Henry Pollock has been handed his first Test start as Steve Borthwick makes three changes to his starting XV for England’s must-win Six Nations match against Ireland on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.<\/b><\/p>\n
Pollock, 21, is named at number eight alongside fellow British and Irish Lion Tom Curry, who has featured off the bench in the past six Tests, and Ben Earl in the back row.<\/p>\n
Centre Ollie Lawrence returns after missing out on selection for Saturday’s crushing defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield.<\/p>\n
Tommy Freeman, who started the first two rounds at outside centre, shifts back to the right wing.<\/p>\n
England struggled in the air against Gregor Townsend’s side – an area of strength during a 12-game winning run that was ended on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Tom Roebuck loses his spot on the right wing after struggling to assert himself aerially, but Henry Arundell, who was sent off after receiving two yellow cards – the second for taking a player out in the air – is given a chance to redeem himself on the left wing.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old has scored four tries in the opening two rounds and was cleared to play after being cited for the incident.<\/p>\n
Head coach Steve Borthwick has been clear about his desire to use Freeman at outside centre, but the 24-year-old is arguably England’s best player at winning the ball in the air and those skills have been missed.<\/p>\n
Fit-again Lawrence, who missed the opening game through a knee injury, was always likely to play a role in this Six Nations after a standout performance against New Zealand in the autumn, with his powerful ball carrying a point of difference.<\/p>\n
England’s attack failed to click against Scotland and Lawrence’s strengths would have also been a factor in forcing the Freeman switch.<\/p>\n
“It is tough. When I came in the autumn [internationals], Tommy moved to 13 and there was a bit of ‘that’s another person I am competing with’,” Lawrence told BBC Rugby Union Weekly.<\/p>\n
“I didn’t expect it. I potentially knew it might happen, I didn’t think it would happen straight away and I got my opportunity in the second game and then the start of the Six Nations Tommy went back to 13.<\/p>\n
“It’s not frustrating but it’s one of those things where you are knocking on the door and you have to wait your turn sometimes.”<\/p>\n
Captain Maro Itoje will earn his 100th cap, becoming the ninth England man to reach the milestone.<\/p>\n
Half-backs Marcus Smith and Jack van Poortvliet both missed out on selection last week and are named on a 6-2 bench spilt.<\/p>\n
Ireland, like England, have one win from their opening two games in the tournament, making the fixture a must-win for both sides to keep their championship hopes alive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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