England make late changes after losing two to injury

Online Editors

England have been forced to make three changes to the side that will take on Wales in a World Cup warm-up match on Sunday, with Henry Slade, Ruaridh McConnochie and Sam Underhill all ruled out through injury.

Winger Joe Cokanasiga replaces Bath team mate McConnochie (hip injury) on the right while Jonathan Joseph will play at outside centre instead of Henry Slade (knee), the Rugby Football Union said in a statement.

Northampton Saints’ flanker Lewis Ludlam comes in for vice-captain Underhill, who has a toe injury, while Courtney Lawes and Manu Tuilagi have been included as reserves for the match at Twickenham.

Eddie Jones’ team play Wales again in Cardiff on August 17 before two more warm-up matches against Ireland and Italy in London and Newcastle, respectively.

Earlier today Wales confirmed one late change to their line-up.

Aled Davies has replaced Tomos Williams on the replacements bench for Wales for tomorrow’s clash against England at Twickenham.

Williams picked up a shoulder injury in training on Thursday and Davies, who was already traveling to London as part of Wales’ 31-man strong squad, comes into the matchday 23.

England starting XV

15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 30 caps)
14 Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 40 caps)
12 Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
11 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 33 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 55 caps) C
9 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped) VC

1 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 11 caps)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 85 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 58 caps)
5 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)
6 Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
7 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 10 caps)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 41 caps)

Finishers
16 Jack Singleton (Saracens, uncapped)
17 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 59 caps)
18 Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 17 caps)
19 George Kruis (Saracens, 32 caps)
20 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 71 caps)
21 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 85 caps)
22 Joe Marchant (Harlequins, uncapped)
23 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 32 caps)

Additional reporting AAP

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