England are set to name an unchanged team for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy at Twickenham despite the likely return of Brad Barritt, Kyle Eastmond and Geoff Parling.
Head coach Stuart Lancaster is ready to reward the starting XV for their heroics in dispatching Wales 21-16 in Cardiff on Friday night by retaining them en masse against the Azzurri.
The only potential change will come among the replacements, where Geoff Parling could provide specialist lock cover at the expense of Nick Easter or Tom Croft if he proves his fitness by Tuesday.
Parling and Barritt have been out with knee problems and Eastmond a shoulder complaint, but the trio are expected to resume training on Monday. Only Parling is likely to be considered for Italy, however.
"The reality is that a lot of the team did play very well against Wales and I wouldn't envisage too many - if any - changes," said Lancaster, who names his team on Thursday morning.
"Reverting to a specialist second row on the bench is something we are going to have to consider in the next 24 hours.
"We haven't got a definitive answer whether Geoff is going to come through this next training session or Tuesday morning's unit session, but that is one of the options."
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