England make five changes for Japan and hand debut to Dave Ribbans
England will take the field at Twickenham on Saturday to play Japan with a starting XV showing five changes from the team beaten 29-30 by Argentina last Sunday. Eddie Jones had pared down his original squad of 36 to 25 on Wednesday night, keeping with him Jamie George, the hooker surprisingly recalled to the setup on Monday when it was thought he would miss the entire Autumn Nations Series through injury.
George now comes onto the bench in place of the excluded Jack Singleton, cover that has a five/three forwards/backs split this week compared to last weekend’s six/two split. However, it is the starting team that has naturally garnered the most focus with Jones changing two of his run-on pack and three of his backs.
The alterations in the forwards herald a first cap for Test rookie lock Dave Ribbans, who will debut in place of Alex Coles, who made his debut versus the Pumas. No8 Billy Vunipola also slips to the bench with Sam Simmonds promoted.
In the backs, Jack van Poortvliet will start in place of the benched Ben Youngs, the fit-again Jonny May is on the left wing for the excluded Joe Cokanasiga while summer tour midfielder Guy Porter has been recalled at outside centre with Manu Tuilagi dropping to the bench.
He has been named as the third sub back, with flanker Jack Willis losing out after being last week’s sixth replacement forward. Willis is this week's 24th man with Cokanasiga the other player in the gathering of 25 not named in the matchday 23.
Jones said: “We have worked hard this week to improve on last week’s performance. We have taken a good look at our preparation and we are happy with our position going into the game. We have made a few changes to the side as we play these four games in November. In particular with Manu, we are balancing his workload.
"Japan are a very good and intriguing side. They play a unique type of rugby based on continuity and team cohesion and we’ll have to be at our best against them at Twickenham on Saturday.”
England (vs Japan, Saturday)
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps)
14. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 43 caps)
13. Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)
12. Owen Farrell (C) (Saracens, 98 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 69 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 14 caps)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 4 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 40 caps)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 38 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 53 caps)
4. David Ribbans (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
5. Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks, 16 caps)
6. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 59 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 42 caps)
8. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 15 caps)
Replacements:
16. Jamie George (Saracens, 69 caps)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 71 caps)
18. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 6 caps)
19. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
20. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 65 caps)
21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 118 caps)
22. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 49 caps)
23. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 47 caps)
Latest Comments
Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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