George Ford begins at fly-half for England vs Samoa whereas Owen Farrell captains facet from inside centre; Marcus Smith dropped to bench as Freddie Steward begins at full-back; Tom Curry returns following suspension; England assured of prime spot in Pool D after successful first three video games
By Michael Cantillon
Final Up to date: 05/10/23 4:41pm
Owen Farrell and George Ford have each been named to begin for England
Owen Farrell and George Ford have each been named to begin for England in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup Pool D match in opposition to Samoa, with skipper Farrell shifting into midfield.
The choice is the primary time head coach Steve Borthwick has chosen to deploy Ford and Farrell in a twin 10-12 playmaking axis, with Marcus Smith dropping to the bench on account of Freddie Steward returning at full-back.
Borthwick additionally confirmed on Thursday that back-row Jack Willis’ World Cup is over as a consequence of a neck damage, and a alternative can be in camp for the beginning of subsequent week.
England are assured of prime spot and development to the quarter-finals already, having received their opening three pool video games.
Ought to Fiji take at the least some extent of their last pool sport in opposition to Portugal, they are going to be England’s last-eight opponents on October 15.
Marcus Smith, who starred for England at full-back in opposition to Chile, has been dropped to the bench
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James Cole explains the permutations concerned in Pool B on the Rugby World Cup which might see both Eire, Scotland or defending world champions South Africa being knocked out of the match
James Cole explains the permutations concerned in Pool B on the Rugby World Cup which might see both Eire, Scotland or defending world champions South Africa being knocked out of the match
Centre Manu Tuilagi shifts to exterior centre to accommodate Farrell beginning at 12, whereas Joe Marchant strikes to the best wing, with no spot within the staff or squad for Henry Arundell, who scored 5 tries in opposition to Chile final trip.
Elsewhere within the backs, Jonny Could begins on the left wing, whereas Alex Mitchell comes again into the facet at scrum-half.
Within the forwards, Tom Curry returns to begin at openside flanker following his suspension for a excessive deal with purple card in opposition to Argentina in England’s World Cup opener.
Tom Curry returns to begin for England after finishing his suspension
Courtney Lawes at blindside flanker and Ben Earl at No 8 full the back-row, with Billy Vunipola named on the bench.
Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum mix within the second row, whereas loosehead Ellis Genge, hooker Jamie George and tighthead Dan Cole – the latter in forward of Kyle Sinckler – type the front-row.
Hooker Theo Dan, loosehead Joe Marler, lock George Martin, scrum-half Danny Care and centre Ollie Lawrence be a part of Smith, Vunipola and Sinckler on the replacements bench.
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Eleanor Roper displays on England’s resounding 71-0 victory over Chile in Pool D
Eleanor Roper displays on England’s resounding 71-0 victory over Chile in Pool D
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Joe Marchant, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Owen Farrell (c), 11 Jonny Could, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Ollie Chessum, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl.
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 George Martin, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Danny Care, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Ollie Lawrence.
Samoa make 9 modifications for England Take a look at in Lille
Samoa have named an all-new tight 5 for his or her must-win Pool D conflict as coach Seilala Mapusua makes 9 modifications for the conflict in Lille, the place his staff can have the slimmest of quarter-final hopes.
Samoa should win by 29 factors or extra with a bonus-point in opposition to an England facet who’ve secured prime spot within the group, and hope Sunday’s match between Japan and Argentina ends in a draw with out both facet taking a try-scoring bonus-point.
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Samoa: 15 Duncan Paia’aua, 14 Nigel Ah Wong, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Danny Toala, 11 Neria Fomai, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Jonathan Taumateine; 1 Jordan Lay, 2 Sama Malolo, 3 Michael Alaalatoa (c), 4 Sam Slade, 5 Brian Alainu’u’ese, 6 Theo McFarland, 7 Fritz Lee, 8 Steven Luatua.
Replacements: 16 Seilala Lam, 17 James Lay, 18 Paul Alo Emile, 19 Sootala Fa’aso’o, 20 Alamanda Motuga, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Christian Leali’ifano, 23 Miracle Faiilagi.