Noah Caluori one of two uncapped players to start for England XV
Noah Caluori is set to start for England XV against France XV at Vannes’ Stade de la Rabine on Friday, live on RPTV.
The 19-year-old Saracens star will be joined by uncapped Bristol Bears tighthead George Kloska in the starting XV for what will be an uncapped match that will be brimming with Test stars on either side.
There are a further three uncapped players on the bench – Bath tighthead Billy Sela, Harlequins flanker Jack Kenningham and Bristol Bears centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg, who is yet to qualify to represent the senior side.
Having appeared to be in the Test wilderness a matter of weeks ago, Max Ojomoh will start at outside centre, aided by the absence of Exeter Chiefs’ Henry Slade and Northampton Saints duo Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman, who are competing in the Gallagher PREM final on Saturday. He will form a midfield partnership with Gloucester’s Seb Atkinson, who started the final two matches of England’s dismal Guinness Six Nations campaign.
In the absence of Maro Itoje, the side will be led by George Ford, who will start at fly-half with Marcus Smith at full-back.
“We’re looking forward to an exciting challenge against a strong French team in what will be a demanding fixture,” said head coach Steve Borthwick.
“I’m eager to see this group get out there and show what they’re capable of. It’s a great opportunity to keep developing our game in the lead-up to the forthcoming Nations Championship.”
England XV: 15 Marcus Smith; 14 Noah Caluori, 13 Max Ojomoh, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Cadan Murley; 10 George Ford (c), 9 Harry Randall; 1 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 2 Theo Dan, 3 George Kloska, 4 Charlie Ewels, 5 George Martin, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Alex Dombrandt.
Replacements: 16 Jamie Blamire, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Vilikesa Sela, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Jack Kenningham, 21 Raffi Quirke, 22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 23 Adam Radwan.