Mike Brown set to reprise England role as Stuart Lancaster rings changes for clash
Full-back Mike Brown is set to play his first match since February after England head coach Stuart Lancaster made wholesale changes for his side’s World Cup warm-up clash with France in Paris on Saturday.
Brown has not played since being knocked unconscious during England’s Six Nations clash with Italy but is one of 14 new faces from the XV which started last weekend’s 19-14 victory over Les Bleus at Twickenham.
Try-scorer Jonny May retains his place in a strong looking team to be skippered by Chris Robshaw, who will be joined in the back-row by fellow flanker James Haskell and No8 Billy Vunipola.
Wasps second-row Joe Launchbury is poised to return to international rugby following a 12-month absence with a neck injury, while uncapped Saracens hooker Jamie George has been named among the replacements.
Lancaster said: “France were very good last weekend and will be even stronger at home and this will be a big test but these guys have been working hard for the opportunity and are desperate to go out and perform.”