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England coach Brian Ashton has returned to the team that beat Scotland 42-20 for the Six Nations rugby match against Ireland at Croke Park on February 24.
There are two injury-related changes from the side that were unimpressive in their 20-7 victory over Italy on Saturday, Olly Morgan coming in for Iain Balshaw at fullback and Joe Worsley returning at blindside flanker in place of Nick Easter.
"I've decided to recall Olly Morgan because I don't expect Iain Balshaw to make a full recovery from his groin injury in time for the game," Ashton said in a statement.
Balshaw suffered the latest in a long line of injuries and was replaced by Mathew Tait late in the first half against Italy.
Morgan, his Gloucester teammate, made his debut against the Scots and had a solid, though unspectacular game.
"Joe Worsley has recovered from his neck injury and reclaims the number six shirt just ahead of Nick Easter, who I thought had a very good debut for England against Italy. However, Joe's greater experience at this level means that he is selected," added Ashton.
Ashton brought forward the announcement of the team by a week in the hope that as many players as possible would be spared playing for their clubs in the Premiership this weekend.
While Ireland will have two weeks together to get over their last-gasp defeat by France and prepare for their next big Croke Park occasion, England could be together for just a few days after the weekend action that includes three league games on Sunday.
The clubs are not obliged to rest players but the Rugby Football Union's director of elite rugby Rob Andrew said he hoped many of them would be excused boots, as before the Scotland game when nine of the starting 15 were rested.
England team to face Ireland:
15-Olly Morgan, 14-Josh Lewsey, 13-Mike Tindall, 12-Andy Farrell, 11-Jason Robinson, 10-Jonny Wilkinson, 9-Harry Ellis; 8-Martin Corry, 7-Magnus Lund, 6-Joe Worsley, 5-Danny Grewcock, 4-Louis Deacon, 3-Phil Vickery (captain), 2-George Chuter, 1-Perry Freshwater.
Replacements:
16-Lee Mears, 17-Julian White, 18-Tom Palmer, 19-Lewis Moody, 20-Peter Richards, 21-Toby Flood, 22-Mathew Tait.
- REUTERS
