Jones makes 11 changes
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones has made 11 changes to the starting – XV which faced New Zealand last weekend – with two positional switches to the side that will play Japan at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.
George Ford (Leicester Tigers) will start at flyhalf and captain England in his 50th match.
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) and Alex Lozowski (Saracens) are the centre pairing, while last Saturday’s try-scorer Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks) moves from right to left wing.
Bath wing Joe Cokanasiga will make his England debut, while the uncapped apprentice Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors) is named as a replacement.
For the first time this series Danny Care (Harlequins) will start at scrumhalf with Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens) on the bench.
There are three changes to the front row – with Exeter Chiefs’ props Alec Hepburn and Harry Williams starting alongside Saracens’ hooker Jamie George. England’s starting front three against New Zealand are named as replacements.
Charlie Ewels (Bath) will start in the second row in place of the injured George Kruis (Saracens) and will partner Maro Itoje (Saracens) who is named as vice-captain.
In other changes to the forward pack, Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) will play blindside flank with Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons) switching from number 8 to openside flank. Zach Mercer (Bath) will make his first start for England at number 8.
“Japan is an important game for us as we want to get back to winning ways,” Jones said.
“We have also tested ourselves in having a shorter preparation.
“We gave the players two days off after three weeks of intensive work.
“We have had a short preparation but a good preparation.”
On the squad selected Jones added: “This weekend is a good opportunity for us to test the depth of the squad.
“A number of players have changed their roles going from replacements to starters and starters to replacements so that is the essential change to the squad.
“It is exciting to be able to give starting opportunities to Zach Mercer and Joe Cokanasiga and young Ted Hill on the bench.
On Ford as captain, he said: “It’s a wonderful moment for him and his family.
“Fifty caps and captaining the side is a great honour and every game he plays for England he gives his absolute best.”
On Japan he added: “We are expecting plenty of energy, aggression and fast ball movement. They will be full of surprises, quick taps, line-outs and plays. They are going to have a bag of magic.”
Japan have won 11 of their last 17 matches in Europe, drawing one and losing five. Their last game on the continent saw them draw 23-23 with France last November.
This is only the second Test match between the two countries. The first was a World Cup match in 1987 with England beating Japan 60-7 in Sydney, Australia.
England: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Jack Nowell, 12 Alex Lozowski, 11 Chris Ashton, 10 George Ford (captain), 9 Danny Care, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Mark Wilson, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Maro Itoje, 4 Charlie Ewels, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Jamie George, 1 Alec Hepburn.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Ted Hill, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Henry Slade.
Date: Saturday, November 17
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick-off: 15.00 (00.00, Sunday, November 18)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Dan Jones (Wales)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
