England make fly half decision as Steve Borthwick names team to face Japan
England head to Tokyo on Saturday to face a Japan side led by their former coach Eddie Jones
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Marcus Smith will start at fly half for England ahead of namesake Fin Smith as coach Steve Borthwick makes four enforced changes for their first Test of the summer against Japan that could also see powerful wing Tom Roebuck handed his debut.
With Owen Farrell and George Ford unavailable, Marcus Smith has been handed the No 10 jersey to partner scrum half Alex Mitchell on Saturday in England’s first ever Test against their hosts in Japan. Fin Smith is among the replacements.
Other changes from the 33-31 Six Nations finale defeat to France in March see prop Bevan Rodd come in for Ellis Genge and flanker Chandler Cunningham-South make his first international start in place of Ollie Chessum.
Wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso takes over from Elliot Daly, who misses the three-match tour of Japan and New Zealand to attend the birth of his first child.
“Conditions in Tokyo mean we’ll need to be accurate, keep our discipline, and maintain a level of intensity in our performance from the first whistle to the last,” Borthwick said. “We will need to be at our very best against an opponent who will want to play fast.”
George Furbank starts at full back, with wing Tommy Freeman the other piece of the back three, and Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade are the centre pairing.
Rodd is joined in the front row by Dan Cole and hooker Jamie George, who captains the side, with Maro Itoje and George Martin the lock pairing. Sam Underhill and No 8 Ben Earl are at the back of the scrum alongside Cunningham-South.
There is a potential debut off the bench for uncapped Sale Sharks wing Roebuck, while flanker Tom Curry, recently returned from long-term injury that kept him out of the Six Nations, is also among the replacements.
After England’s Test in Japan they travel to New Zealand for fixtures on 6 July and 13 July, where they will look to beat the All Blacks away from home for the first time in 21 years.
England team to play Japan: 15. George Furbank, 14. Immanuel Feyi. Waboso, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Ollie Lawrence, 11. Tommy Freeman, 10. Marcus Smith, 9. Alex Mitchell; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Jamie George (captain), 3. Dan Cole, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. George Martin, 6. Chandler Cunningham-South, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Ben Earl
Replacements: 16. Theo Dan, 17. Joe Marler, 18. Will Stuart, 9. Charlie Ewels, 20. Tom Curry, 21. Harry Randall, 22. Fin Smith, 23. Tom Roebuck
Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments