Alec Hepburn poised to make England debut in Six Nations opener against Italy
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Loading... - Kasia Johnson
- 01 Feb 2021
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Alec Hepburn is poised to make his England debut in Sunday's NatWest 6 Nations opener against Italy in Rome.
The Exeter prop has been included in a 25-man squad retained for the Stadio Olimpico showdown and is set to provide loosehead cover from the bench for Mako Vunipola.
Hepburn, 25, is effectively England's sixth choice in the position with Joe Marler suspended and Ellis Genge, Mat Mullan and Beno Obano in the treatment room.
On the other side of the scrum Harry Williams will be given the opportunity to add to his five caps in the absence of Kyle Sinckler, who is missing with a hamstring injury, behind starting tighthead Dan Cole.
Chris Robshaw, Maro Itoje and Mike Brown are present after recovering from their respective back, hip and eye problems and Ben Te'o also features having completed his rehabilitation from a high ankle sprain.
Backs
Full backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Nathan Earle (Saracens)
Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Inside backs
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Forward
Back five
Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons) *
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)
Front row
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Jamie George (Saracens)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs) *
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)
