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Chris Robshaw will captain the side for the game against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico, with the team unchanged after an opening weekend victory against the Scots.

The defending champions had a tough opening fixture in Scotland, winning by the narrow margin of 13 points to six.

Coach Stuart Lancaster, in charge of the national side until the RFU chooses a permanent successor to Martin Johnson, opted to stick by the same team for what he said will be a 'difficult challenge' against the Italians.

Johnson resigned as England coach after a disappointing world cup in New Zealand. Off-the-field incidents added to the pressure on Johnson as the team failed to perform in the tournament.

All members of the squad were given a chance to impress during a full-blooded training session earlier in the week, but Lancaster opted against changing the starting line-up.

Lancaster had a number of selection choices to make for the game, backing Northampton's Phil Dowson at number eight ahead of Ben Morgan, who will be primed to make an impact off the bench.

Injury concerns have eased and Charlie Hodgson, who suffered a blow to the shoulder, will continue at fly-half, while Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt again form an all-Saracens midfield.

Speaking ahead of the sell-out game on Saturday, Lancaster said: 'We have decided to leave the starting team the same to allow them more time to gel together and we are expecting our bench to come on and make an impact as they did last week.'

With nearly 700 caps among the players in Italy's starting line-up, Lancaster will not underestimate the size of the task, adding that 'it promises to be an outstanding occasion'.

Dominic Rees