One new cap named to start in England team showing 10 changes
Steve Borthwick has confirmed his England team to face Wales this Saturday, a Summer Nations Series selection that shows 10 changes to the starting XV that lost to Ireland in their most recent outing and includes a debut for back-rower Tom Pearson.
That 16-29 defeat 20 weeks ago in Dublin brought the curtain down on the new Test-level head coach’s first campaign in charge and with 41 players in camp (plus two more with them in injury rehab) ahead of next Monday’s announcement of the official 33 for the Rugby World Cup in France, Borthwick has opted to examine his squad’s depth ahead of that final cut after a summer where 61 players auditioned for inclusion.
Freddie Steward, Ellis Genge, David Ribbans, Lewis Ludlam and Alex Dombrandt are the five repeat picks from Dublin. Meanwhile, along with starting newcomer Pearson, hooker Theo Dan and back-rower Tom Willis are in line for Test debuts from the bench.
Skipper Genge will pack down in a front row with Jamie Blamire and Will Stuart, with Ribbans partnering George Martin at second row. Pearson makes the back row along with Ludlam and Dombrandt, who will have Harlequins half-backs supporting him in the guise of Danny Care and Marcus Smith.
Guy Porter and Joe Marchant are the midfield, with full-back Steward joined in the back three by wingers Joe Cokanasiga and Malins. Aside from rookies Dan and Willis, the bench also includes Bevan Rodd, Kyle Sinckler, Jonny Hill, Jack van Poortvliet, George Ford and Henry Slade.
Borthwick said: “England versus Wales in Cardiff is always an exciting and keenly contested fixture. I’m sure this Saturday will be no different as a tremendous first Test match of the Summer Nations Series.
“We have been impressed with how the whole squad has applied itself both on and off the field over this training camp. We are now looking forward to returning to Test match rugby as we continue our preparations for the Rugby World Cup in France.”
England (vs Wales, Saturday – 5:30pm)
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 22 caps)
14. Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 18 caps)
13. Joe Marchant (Stade Francais, 15 caps)
12. Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers, 4 caps)
11. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 14 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 21 caps)
9. Danny Care (Harlequins, 87 caps)
1. Ellis Genge © (Bristol Bears, 48 caps)
2. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 6 caps)
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 25 caps)
4. David Ribbans (Toulon, 5 caps)
5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)
6. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 19 caps)
7. Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 14 caps)
Replacements:
16. Theo Dan (Saracens, uncapped)
17. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 61 caps)
19. Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks, 19 caps)
20. Tom Willis (Saracens, uncapped)
21. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 12 caps)
22. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 81 caps)
23. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 56 caps)
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I’m hoping that the Reds can win their last 4 games with a couple of try bonus points. The pessimist in me wouldn't be surprised if the Drua and the Tahs knock the Reds over. The Reds may end up ruing the fact they were distinctly 2nd best against the Force and just so clunky against Moana Pasifica. The Brumbies should win all their remaining games with some bonus points giving them at least a top 2 finish as the leading Kiwi sides will take points off each other. How the Brumbies handle the fact that they will be expected to beat the Crusaders will fascinate me. You’d probably have to go back to 2001 for the last time the Brumbies would go into a game against the Crusaders nearly odds on to win.
Go to commentsFree to air is the key to fan expansion. I attended last weeks game at Suncorp (Reds v Blues) and the total cost is prohibitive to most people that wish to attend. Two tickets $130, parking (event day gouging) $75, road tolls $20, dinner beforehand $130, plus some petrol and a beer inside the stadium and a single game starts to cost $300-400. Who can afford that week in week out, I’d love to go more but could only afford this one game to see the Blues, I’d have loved to have seen more NZ teams here but I’d need to stop eating or sell a kidney.
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