Rugby-Curry and Underhill start for England

Tom Curry and Sam Underhill will line up either side of Billy Vunipola in a new-look, highly mobile back row against Ireland on Saturday as England coach Eddie Jones continues to juggle his resources in the team's penultimate World Cup warm-up match. Curry and Underhill bring a dynamic dimension to the flanks, where Jones still seems some way from settling on his preferred combination. Curry will wear number six but both players are considered open-sides and brought some real vigor to England's breakdown work in their previous appearances. Underhill, 23, impressed in last year's Autumn internationals but then missed the Six Nations with an ankle injury, opening the door for 21-year-old Curry.

Whether Jones will stick with the two youngsters when the tournament begins in Japan next month remains to be seen. Mark Wilson, probably favorite to make the World Cup starting team at blindside, is on the bench on Saturday after missing both Wales games. Captain Owen Farrell will start his first game of the warm-up series but at inside center, alongside Manu Tuilagi for the first time, with George Ford at flyhalf.

It is the first time Jones has started with the Ford/Farrell combination since last year's tour of South Africa - through the two played in those positions in the latter stages of last week's defeat in Wales. Jonny May also makes his first appearance this season on the left wing with Joe Cokanasiga switching to the right and Elliot Daly remaining at fullback.

Prop Mako Vunipola, who has not played since suffering a serious hamstring injury in May, is on the bench. "We purposefully made the week short looking ahead to the World Cup where this might happen beyond our control," Jones said.

"It is the third of four games for us and come on the 8th of September when we get on the plane, we want to be ready to go. This is another step forward for us." England beat Wales at Twickenham but then lost the return match in Cardiff last week. After the Ireland game, they complete their preparations against Italy on Sept. 6.

"This weekend we will be looking to gain more game fitness and testing different sorts of game strategies. We have a specific way of how we want to play and the focus is very much on ourselves," he said. There was no place in the squad for uncapped Bath winger Ruaridh McConnochie, who had to withdraw from both Wales games with late injuries.

Ireland named their team earlier on Thursday, with Ross Byrne handed a first start at flyhalf. England team to play Ireland on Saturday (14.00GMT): 15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 32 caps) 14 Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 6 caps) 13 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 34 caps) 12 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 71 caps) C 11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 45 caps) 10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 57 caps) 9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 87 caps) 1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 60 caps) 2 Jamie George (Saracens, 38 caps) 3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 23 caps) 4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 28 caps) 5 George Kruis (Saracens, 34 caps) 6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 11 caps) 7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 9 caps) 8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 43 caps) Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 13 caps) 17 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 53 caps) 18 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 87 caps) 19 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 73 caps) 20 Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons/Sale Sharks, 13 caps) 21 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 2 caps) 22 Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 6 caps) 23 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 42 caps)