tighthead

There now just four ever-present starters: the full-back Ben Foden, wing Chris Ashton, the centre Manu Tuilagi and tighthead prop Dan Cole.

Rugby World Cup 2011: England drop Courtney Lawes and James Haskell 2011

Leicester's Dan Cole keeps his place at tighthead – in what is effectively England's strongest team – alongside the recalled Steve Thompson, with Leicester's Tom Croft resuming in the back row.

England recall Mike Tindall and Jonny Wilkinson for Romania game 2011

The home side's problems up front caught up with them: the change of both their tighthead props coincided with the Tigers taking charge up front and starving the men in red of possession.

Scarlets 20-32 Leicester | Heineken Cup match report 2011

The England manager has Leicester's Dan Cole as his established tighthead, with Davey Wilson of Bath in contention, while Gloucester's Paul Doran-Jones, rated by both Vickery and the England management, understudies Sale's Andrew Sheridan at loosehead.

'Enough's enough' says England and Wasps iron man Phil Vickery Mike Averis 2010

Tactics Injuries will play a part but the old adage that "Munster provide the forwards, Leinster the backs" has long gone and the key man in Rome this weekend could be Mike Ross, the former Harlequin tighthead who now plays his rugby in Dublin.

Six Nations 2011: An insider's guide to the teams and tactics | Shaun Edwards (with Paul Rees) 2011

All props have a favourite side, but if Cockerill chooses to play Dan Cole at tighthead, the Italian probably knows enough to get by against the Leinster and Ireland tighthead, Mike Ross.

Heineken Cup quarter-finals will have Europe on the move | Shaun Edwards 2011

Cole and his fellow tighthead Martin Castrogiovanni have committed to the Tigers.

Richard Cockerill of Leicester questions Andy Farrell's England role 2011

The hooker Scott Lawson and the tighthead prop Euan Murray join Jacobsen in the front row, while alongside Brown in the back row are Ross Rennie and Alasdair Strokosch.

Scotland ring changes ahead of World Cup match against Georgia 2011

While Northampton pride themselves on having assembled a scrum that even Leicester would covet, there was only one winner once the Tigers and England tighthead Dan Cole came on.

Leicester 27-16 Northampton | Premiership match report 2011

The Glasgow tighthead was twice penalised at scrums and then put the low in yellow when he was sent to the sin-bin for not releasing Serge Betsen after a tackle.

Rejuvenated Andy Powell drives Wasps to victory over Glasgow Paul Rees at Adams Park 2010