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Two changes for England who also name Opoku-Fordjour on their bench

England line up for the anthems last week versus South Africa (Photo by Dan Mullan/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Steve Borthwick will look to end his England team’s five-game winless run with an XV to host Japan that has two changes from last weekend’s defeat to South Africa and a rejigged bench that includes 20-year-old rookie Asher Opoku-Fordjour.

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The English lost out 20-29 to the Springboks and they will now close out their Autumn Nations Series with one change to their starting backs and one in their pack.

Dropped last weekend, George Furbank has been reinstated as the starting full-back with Freddie Steward excluded. Up front, the solitary change is the recall of the fit-again Tom Curry at the expense of Chandler Cunningham-South, who drops to the bench where he takes the spot that was held by Alex Dombrandt.

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England’s tactics against South Africa over 80 mins | RPTV

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Curry was knocked out in the first half of the November 9 loss to Australia, but he has been declared fit to pack down at blindside 15 days later in a back row where Sam Underhill, his replacement for the South Africa match, has retained his place.

Cunningham-South is one of three bench alterations with Opoku-Fordjour, a World Rugby U20 Championship winner last July in Cape Town, chosen ahead of regular tighthead back-up Dan Cole. There is also a call-up for Fin Smith, with George Ford missing out.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

0
Wins
2
5
Streak
1
12
Tries Scored
19
-24
Points Difference
-71
2/5
First Try
3/5
3/5
First Points
3/5
2/5
Race To 10 Points
2/5

Ford was on the bench for the three previous November outings, but he was left in the stands as an unused option versus the Springboks and now gives way to Smith.

In an RFU team announcement statement, Borthwick said: “We anticipate a tough challenge from a team that thrives on playing fast and with tempo. Japan are a dangerous team so it’s important that we execute our game plan and maintain focus throughout the full 80 minutes.”

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England (vs Japan, Sunday)
15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 13 caps)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)
13. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 30 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 68 caps)
11. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 38 caps)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 65 caps) – vice-captain
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 96 caps) – captain
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 44 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 87 caps) – vice-captain
5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 55 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 39 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 36 caps) – vice-captain

Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 43 caps)
17. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 5 caps)
18. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
19. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 14 caps)
20. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 10 caps)
21. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 10 caps)
22. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
23. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)

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1 Comment
T
Tom 3 hours ago

Clearly Dombrandt isn't good enough but why even have him in the squad only to drop him for Japan and bring back an out of form Tom Curry? Give Curry the week off, he looks like he could do with a break!

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Hellhound 22 minutes ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

Rassie has done very well with the Boks. The well will certainly not dry up soon. The amount of young talent coming through, that don't even stand a chance of making it in before 2027, is just absolutely amazing.


However, Rassie has proven to be a rugby genius. He will never rest on his laurels. It's why he keeps evolving tactics, keeping everyone on their toes. He doesn't underestimate any team. He is very aware of just how close the top teams is.


There will be no complacency not will he relax with his main stars. He is very astute, knowing that his team is getting older and thus giving the younger players much more playtime than what any other coach would do.


By the time the 2027 WC comes around, he will be prepared to defend his title and he knows one bad day will end a triple WC crown. Competition is that close. The Boks are in transition, even though it doesn't look like it.


After the 2027 WC, most of the double (possible triple) WC champs players will become unavailable due to retirement from international rugby. Rassie is already preparing the replacements, getting caps under their belts.


The top teams is just too close to underestimate and no Bok will be allowed to get complacent. Although they are by far the current most successful team and clearly the best by miles, they are not undefeatable.


Very tough to beat yes, but they can lose on the day. I am not worried. The youngsters by 2027 WC will be experienced with lots of years ahead and that should be a warning to the rest of the pack biting at their heels. Love them or hate them, but you have to admire the Boks. They truely deserve to be top dogs currently.

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