Ben Te’o will start at outside centre for England in their Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome on Sunday.

Coach Eddie Jones has named an experienced starting lineup for the defending champions’ first match of the tournament, while selecting one uncapped player – loosehead prop Alec Hepburn – on the bench.

Te’o will partner Owen Farrell in the centres after nearly a year’s absence from the England side.

Fullback Mike Brown and left wing Jonny May retain their places, but right wing Anthony Watson replaces the injured Elliot Daly to complete the back three.

Ben Youngs will start his 56th Test, overtaking Matt Dawson’s record of most starts for an England scrumhalf, while Danny Care will equal Dawson for most caps as scrumhalf (77) if he comes on against Italy.

Hooker Dylan Harley will captain the side after he was picked to start ahead of the in-form Jamie George again.

England – 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Ben Te’o, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngster, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Chris Robshaw, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Maro Itoje, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 1 Mako Vunipola.
Subs: 16 Jamie George, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harry Williams, 19 George Kruis, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Danny Care, 22 Johnathan Joseph, 23 Jack Nowell.

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