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LONDON -- England was forced into a late change for the Six Nations match against Italy on Saturday, with prop Joe Marler dropping out to be with his partner ahead of the birth of their first child. Mako Vunipola was promoted from the reserves, with Matt Mullan called up to the bench on Thursday. "It is important that Joe is with his partner at this exciting time," England coach Stuart Lancaster said. "Family must always come first." The other change to the matchday squad of 23 saw centre Manu Tuilagi named on the bench in place of Alex Goode after recovering from a pectoral muscle injury that kept him out for six months. He is expected to make his first England appearance in a year in Rome. The English still have a chance to win the Six Nations if they defeat Italy and France beat Ireland. However, they must also overhaul Irelands points superiority should the Irish win in Paris. Tuilagis return was widely expected after England coaches even considered including him in their squad for the crunch game against Wales until Lancaster decided it would be safer to wait one more week. England hopes Tuilagis power will be a decisive factor in Rome as Lancasters team hopes to pile on the points. "The Wales result was very significant for us but we need to finish the tournament well in Rome," Lancaster said. "We have had a tight turnaround and the key this week has been to manage the players recovery and get them in the best shape for what will be a tough match against Italy." ------ England: Mike Brown, Jack Nowell, Luther Burrell, Billy Twelvetrees, Jonny May, Owen Farrell, Danny Care; Ben Morgan, Chris Robshaw (captain), Tom Wood, Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, David Wilson, Dylan Hartley, Mako Vunipola. Reserves: Tom Youngs, Matt Mullan, Henry Thomas, Dave Attwood, Tom Johnson, Lee Dickson, George Ford, Manu Tuilagi. Jim Kelly Jersey . The result means Atletico Madrid now tops the table, with Madrid level on points in second and Barcelona a point behind in third with nine games remaining as the title race shapes up to be the closest in years. Trent Murphy Bills Jersey . Although Olivetti, a qualifier, had 13 aces, he failed to force a single break-point chance on Gasquets serve and lost his own three times. Gasquet next plays third-seeded Jerzy Janowicz of Poland, who won had 18 aces in a 6-2, 6-4 win against seventh-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France. http://www.billsnflgears.com/Black-Vonta...ey.html?cat=981. At quarterback, all agree that Andy Dalton has been a wonderful surprise, but to truly progress he has to play his best in the playoffs. The two losses in the wildcard rounds keep the evaluation on Dalton open -- just like it did for Peyton Manning many years ago and Matt Ryan until last year. Jim Kelly Bills Jersey . Jose Bautista homered for the fifth straight game in the sixth inning, following a two-out solo homer by Melky Cabrera. Edwin Encarnacion led off the seventh with a homer to tie the game 3-3 and, with two out in the seventh, Munenori Kawasaki came through with the two-out single to score pinch-runner Steve Tolleson with what proved to be the winning run. Buffalo Bills Jerseys .J. Barea during a three-game shooting slump that was getting him booed off his home court with regularity.NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Titans rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger is doubtful against the New York Jets after aggravating his sprained right shoulder, but coach Ken Whisenhunt says there is a legitimate chance Mettenberger plays for Tennessee again this season.Whisenhunt said Monday that hes hopeful Mettenberger will be back this year and the rookie will be on a week to week basis with three games left this season.Im not going to rule him out until I know for sure that he cant go, Whisenhunt said. I said that he was doubtful he would go this week. But well see as it progresses.Seeing how the rookie responds is key for a franchise that needs to see if Mettenberger can be their starter in 2015. Mettenberger originally sprained his shoulder Nov. 30 in a loss at Houston, but he started Sunday against the New York Giants. He hurt his shoulder again at 10:41 of the fourth quarter when sacked for the fifth time in a 36-7 loss.Whisenhunt said he wasnt happy Mettenberger aggravated the injury. The coach also said he should have done a better job not letting that happen in a game where the Titans played without three starting offensive linemen and were down to a tackle signed Tuesday because of injuries.Going forward I think we are going to be conservative with it to a certain degree, but I think also its important that he stays in it and tries to get back, Whisenhunt said of Mettenberger. Thats an important piece of it. I mean theres a legitimate chance he plays again for us this year. If he has that and hes healthy, we would like to see that no question.Jake Locker is expected to start at quarterbackk if Mettenberger is out.dddddddddddd. The veteran in the final year of his contract was benched in October coming off an injured hand with Mettenberger starting the last six games.Its an opportunity to play, Jake wants that, Whisenhunt said. Prepare it the best he can and do the best job he can. I think thats the way hell look at it. Hes a good pro.Mettenberger was limited in practice all last week with his original sprained shoulder, and returning could be difficult. The Titans (2-11) host the Jets (2-11) on Sunday, then have a short turnaround before visiting Jacksonville (2-11) on Dec. 18.That leaves the season finale hosting Indianapolis (9-4) on Dec. 28 for a team already with 10 players on injured reserve, including six starters. But Whisenhunt said he hopes left tackle Taylor Lewan and right tackle Michael Oher, who have missed two straight games with injuries, could return. Oher is getting his sore left toe checked again Tuesday.Whisenhunt said Mettenberger, who had an MRI exam earlier Monday, was pretty sore.I know he wants to get back and play, Whisenhunt said. Well see as it goes.Notes: S Michael Griffin was using crutches in the locker room Monday for a sore back he hurt on the opening drive of the game. But Griffin said he will play against the Jets and former teammate Chris Johnson. CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, who dislocated his left shoulder against the Giants, was wearing a sling Monday. S Daimion Stafford is in the concussion protocol.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Teresa M. 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