Strettle and Mears back for England

Rugby:England coach Stuart Lancaster has opted to recall David Strettle for the Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham. The wing was a late withdrawal from the line-up to face France due to a sternum injury - with Charlie Sharples stepping in to play in the 24-22 win in Paris.

However, Strettle makes an immediate return to the starting XV with Gloucester ace Sharples missing out completely.

Lancaster has made an additional change on the bench with Lee Mears coming in for Rob Webber, who injured his shoulder at the Stade de France.

"It seems like yesterday when we got together in Leeds in January and began a new journey for England rugby,” Lancaster said. "Graham (Rowntree), Andy (Farrell) and myself firmly believe in this group of players and the direction we are going.

"Saturday is another step on that road and we are looking forward to coming home to a packed Twickenham with its special atmosphere and crowd. Their support has been phenomenal and we hope we can do the whole nation proud again.

"David Strettle has now recovered from his injury and will replace Charlie Sharples, who gained valuable experience in Paris.

"It's good to have Lee Mears on the bench and he will bring great energy and experience should he get a chance to come on."

England:B Foden (Northampton Saints); C Ashton (Northampton Saints), M Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), B Barritt (Saracens), D Strettle (Saracens); O Farrell (Saracens), L Dickson (Northampton Saints); A Corbisiero (London Irish), D Hartley (Northampton Saints), D Cole (Leicester Tigers), M Botha (Saracens), G Parling (Leicester Tigers), T Croft (Leicester Tigers), C Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), B Morgan (Scarlets)

Replacements:L Mears (Bath Rugby), M Stevens (Saracens), T Palmer (Stade Francais), P Dowson (Northampton Saints), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers), C Hodgson (Saracens), M Brown (Harlequins).

Ireland:R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), K Earls (Munster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster); J Sexton (Leinster), E Reddan (Leinster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster, capt), M Ross (Leinster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), D Ryan (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), S O'Brien (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster)

Replacements:S Cronin (Leinster), T Court (Ulster), M McCarthy (Connacht), P O'Mahony (Munster), T O'Leary (Munster), R O'Gara (Munster), F McFadden (Leinster)