Taking on Italy in a 7.45pm kick-off at the home of Newcastle United, Wilson packs down on the open-side flank at the venue which last season saw him playing for the Falcons in their Premiership victory over Sale Sharks, the team he will join on loan after the Rugby World Cup.

England head coach Eddie Jones said: “We are excited to be playing in Newcastle. We are playing at an iconic football ground and we know the area is an important one for rugby in the northern part of England. We are looking forward to seeing and playing in front of the fans.

“We are delighted to be playing against Italy, one of our traditional Six Nations rivals, and the game for us is another important step to develop our game fitness and game strategy.

“We have gone with a mix and match selection policy to develop our adaptability and the team’s ability to cope with any situation.

“We have had a solid training week in Treviso with hot conditions, so we are looking forward to testing ourselves against Italy on Friday night. Then we hop on the plane and are ready to go to Japan.”

Tickets for Friday’s game are available by [**clicking here**][1].

**England team to play Italy**

15 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 35 caps)

14 Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby, uncapped)

13 Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 2 caps)

12 Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)

11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 46 caps)

10 Owen Farrell (Saracens, captain, 72 caps)

9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 88 caps)

1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 61 caps)

2 Jamie George (Saracens, 39 caps)

3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 88 caps)

4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 60 caps)

5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 74 caps)

6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 12 caps)

7 Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons, 14 caps)

8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 44 caps)

**Replacements**

16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 14 caps)

17 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 11 caps)

18 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 24 caps)

19 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)

20 Matt Kvesic (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps)

21 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 3 caps)

22 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 58 caps)

23 Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 7 caps)

[1]: https://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/falcons-international-round-up-637030122013210800