Bath wing Ruaridh McConnochie will make his first start against Italy in the final World Cup warm-up game for England in Newcastle on Friday.

McConnochie, who previously featured for the England Sevens team, was forced to pull out of last month’s warm-ups because of niggling injuries.

The 27-year-old will form part of a pacy back three alongside Jonny May and Anthony Watson.

Coach Eddie Jones has made nine changes to the starting team from the side which thumped Ireland at Twickenham two weeks ago, with captain Owen Farrell back at flyhalf in place of George Ford, who drops to the bench.

Watson gets a rare start in place of Elliot Daly at fullback, while Piers Francis and Joe Marchant form the centre pairing.

In the pack, Mark Wilson, Joe Launchbury and Dan Cole come into the run-on XV, with Matt Kvesic, Charlie Ewels and Kyle Sinckler set to feature from the bench.

Ellis Genge will provide cover at loosehead prop in place of Mako Vunipola, while former Crusaders scrumhalf Willi Heinz will again deputise for Ben Youngs.

England – 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Ruaridh McConnochie, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Jonny May, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Mark Wilson, 6 Tom Curry, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Jamie George, 1 Joe Marler.
Subs: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Kyle Sinckler 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Matt Kvesic, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 George Ford, 23 Joe Cokanasiga.

Photo: EPA/Tony Avelar