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21:00

Burgess takes centre stage in crunch clash

By
Thursday 24 Sep 2015

Sam Burgess takes over from injured Bath clubmate Jonathan Joseph and will wear No.12 for his second Test start as Brad Barritt shifts to outside centre ahead of this enticing Pool A encounter.

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Barritt’s fellow Saracen Owen Farrell is handed the flyhalf berth on the back of an impressive showing from the bench in the 35-11 victory over Fiji, with George Ford moving to the bench.

Elsewhere, Billy Vunipola – another influential replacement last Friday and the scorer of England’s bonus-point try – comes in at No.8 in place of Ben Morgan.

The Gloucester man is still struggling with a knee complaint.Burgess takes centre stage in crunch clash

Meanwhile, James Haskell and Alex Goode are both included in a matchday 23 for the first time at this tournament, covering back row and the back three respectively.

"We have a lot of respect for the Wales coaching team and their players," England coach Stuart Lancaster said.

"They are a high quality side and I am sure it will be some occasion on Saturday.

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"The support at Twickenham last week was incredible with the crowd really getting behind us.

"We will need them again this week to lift the players against a tough Wales team."

England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Brad Barritt, 12 Sam Burgess, 11 Jonny May, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Chris Robshaw, 6 Tom Wood, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Geoff Parling, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Joe Marler. 

Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 James Haskell, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 George Ford, 23 Alex Goode

Date: Saturday, September 26

Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London

Kick-off: 20.00 (19.00 GMT)

Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Mathieu Raynal (France)

TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

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