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England change three and also switch Itoje, plus keep faith in JVP

(Photo by Alex Davidson/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Eddie Jones has named an England team to face the All Blacks this Saturday at Twickenham that contains three changes from the XV that defeated Japan 52-13 last weekend. Joe Cokanasiga, a late call-up to start versus the Japanese after Jack Nowell was ruled out, had since picked up an ankle injury and was omitted when Jones trimmed his squad from 36 to 25 on Tuesday evening.

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His place on the right wing now reverts back to the fit-again Nowell. The other backline change sees Manu Tuilagi promoted from the bench to play at outside centre, with two-try Guy Porter now in the replacements. Jack van Poortvliet has kept the No9 jersey from Ben Youngs, while Owen Farrell will skipper the side from No12 in his 100th Test cap outing.

An RFU statement read: “Captain Owen Farrell will make his 100th appearance for England at inside centre.  Farrell made his debut against Scotland in February 2012 and he becomes only the third England men’s player to reach a century of caps.”

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In the pack, Billy Vunipola’s promotion from the finishers has caused a back-five reshuffle. With Vunipola named at No8, Sam Simmonds switches to blindside, a decision that has resulted in Maro Itoje, last weekend’s No6, going into the second row where Dave Ribbans now drops to the bench where Alex Coles misses out.

That bench includes also a number of other changes. Will Stuart has taken the backup tighthead in place of Joe Heyes, who was omitted from the 25 on Tuesday, while Jack Willis takes the bench spot vacated by the starting Vunipola.

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Jones said: “This fixture doesn’t come around too often and these are the games that players remember in their careers. New Zealand have had the upper hand over the years, but it has been more balanced in recent times and the players have a chance to play their part in history.

“We have had a great week preparing for the game and the team is ready to go at them. We are really pleased for Owen that he is reaching such a significant and special milestone.  He is an excellent player and competitor and he is deserving of every cap.”

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England (vs All Blacks, Saturday)
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps)
14. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 43 caps)
13. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 48 caps)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 99 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 70 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 15 caps)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 5 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 41 caps)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 39 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 54 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 60 caps)
5. Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks, 17 caps)
6. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 16 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 43 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 66 caps)

Replacements:
16. Jamie George (Saracens, 70 caps)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 72 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 23 caps)
19. David Ribbans (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
20. Jack Willis (unattached, 5 caps)
21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 119 caps)
22. Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers, 3 caps)
23. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 50 caps)

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Comments

2 Comments
A
Antonia 857 days ago

Very interesting choice with Simmonds... For mobility and contest at the breakdown it seems. Not like he hasn't played there before, albeit a long time ago and on the open not blindside. Eddie being controversial as usual😂
Hopefully it can bring us a win for Farrell's 100th..

f
finn 857 days ago

Sam Simmonds at blindside is a wild decision
excited to see how this one plays out, but not overly confident tbh

also its surprising that Tommy Freeman isn't in the 23

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Mzilikazi 8 hours ago
'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

“I was wondering if the AIL had clubs that were on the tipping point of wanting to become pro, how close could they get to a current Ulster etc”.


The Irish structure has always been the International team at the top, then the four provinces, then the clubs below that. Before the pro era in each province there were senior clubs playing each other, and that was pretty much “ring fenced”…no relegation or promotion. Then below that a series of junior leagues. The top players in the international scene played in the Five Nations(before Italy came in), and against the touring All Blacks or Springboks initially, then later Australia and Argentina came in. Actually I would need to go back and check the history of the teams coming onto the scene ie other than the Ab’s and Boks.


Those International players would only play for their province three times each year in the Inter Pro games, with the Bok, AB etc games only in tour years. Rest of the time, every single Int. player played club rugby every weekend.


Pro era dawned, and the four provinces became the sole pro teams, feeding up to the Int. team. There is no prospect as far as I can see of any AIL team ever becoming professional. Deepete, or someone living in Ireland would know more than I do, but what happens is fringe and academy players can play in the AIL, giving them game time they would not get otherwise. Top International players would rarely play at AIL level.


I think in Australia the tyranny of distance inhibits an AIL type structure. Ireland is tiny, good rail and road sytems, and it is easy to play in Cork, Limerick, Dublin, any where, weekend after weekend. Imagine an All Australian league, and travelling from Townsville for a game in Margaret River, etc. etc.


“I actually had the tables up and had no idea who was who lol”. Neither do I in some cases. A lot of new clubs since I played/lived in Ireland…I have to check who some are !!


Good discussion here JW. Have enjoyed it.

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Rebeccakirby 8 hours ago
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Rebeccakirby 9 hours ago
Fin Smith: Northampton Saints face battle to keep England star

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Rebeccakirby 9 hours ago
Fin Smith: Northampton Saints face battle to keep England star

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