England line up Maro Itoje for full debut against Ireland amid Six Nations injury worry
MARO ITOJE is set to be handed his first Test start by England after Joe Launchbury pulled out of the squad for Saturday's Six Nations game against Ireland.
21-year-old Maro Itoje has never started an England game
The 21-year-old is in line to be named alongside Saracens club mate George Kruis in the second row following Launchbury's withdrawal with a hamstring problem sustained in training.
Itoje made his England debut off the bench in the 40-9 victory over Italy a fortnight ago.
Courtney Lawes, discarded from the squad on Tuesday evening, was summonsed back to England's Surrey training base last night and is likely to be named on the bench when Eddie Jones reveals his hand today.
It is an unfortunate setback for Launchbury who almost pulled out of England's opening game of the championship against Scotland because of illness.
Ireland also have second row injury issues having lost Iain Henderson and Mike McCarthy for the duration of the championship.