England have named an un-changed team to face Italy in the Six Nations at Twickenham today – sticking with the starting 15 who beat Wales 21-16 in their opener last week.

It means Jonathan Joseph, who scored a try against Wales, and George Kruis will make their first Twickenham starts.

Coach Stuart Lancaster’s replacement bench is also unchanged with Sale fly half Danny Cipriani, who has not featured in a home international since 2008, again one of his back-up options.

“It’s always good to be able to name an unchanged team and to build some consistency,” he said.

“We did the same last year after France heading into the Scotland game. Italy are going to be fired up. They always are when they come to Twickenham, especially after last week’s loss to Ireland.”

Italy were beaten 26-3 by Ireland. Lancaster said the selection process was not as easy as it seemed.

“There are a lot of good players who are just on the outside of the squad who probably deserve a chance and are going to have to wait patiently,” he said.

“It was a good performance (against Wales) and I think the players who played in that game deserve to go again. It helps breed consistency.

“You can learn together and move on together as a group.”

The coach pointed to the laboured 18-11 win over Italy at Twickenham in 2013 as a strong sign that England were in for a tough test again.

“If you don’t get the detail right you find it difficult against them.

“Across the board they will clearly make every element of the game competitive and disrupt as much as possible.

“They are a very strong scrummaging side, excellent at the break down and have an iconic leader in (Sergio) Parisse.”

Meanwhile, backs coach Andy Farrell has demanded England rise to the second of their five cup finals today.

Farrell believes the win over Wales has generated a “feelgood factor” and the Red Rose have since been installed as new favourites to win a first Six Nations title under Stuart Lancaster.

“In the Six Nations you have to make sure that mentally and emotionally you’re in the right place to put your plan into action,” he said.

“That’s important against Italy as well because let’s not forget that it was a cup final for everyone last week. To win a Championship you have five of those cup finals.

Playing today: 15.30 England vs Italy. 18.00 Ireland vs France.

Tomorrow: 16.00 Scotland vs Wales.