Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Willis to debut as England make 7 changes for Georgia

By PA
GettyImages-1283221056-2

Wasps flanker Jack Willis will make his England debut against Georgia in the Autumn Nations Cup on Saturday, the Rugby Football Union has announced. Willis has been picked at openside flanker as reward for an outstanding season at Wasps where his breakdown expertise has identified him as one of the Gallagher Premiership’s most influential players.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 23-year-old flanker was due to tour South Africa in 2018 but was forced to withdraw because of a knee injury and his development was then hampered by a significant ankle problem.

Powerful Worcester centre Ollie Lawrence wins his second cap after making his debut off the bench in last month’s 34-5 victory over Italy that sealed the third Six Nations title of the Eddie Jones era.

Video Spacer

Ryan Wilson tells all about his Calcutta Cup fight with Owen Farrell in 2018

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Video Spacer

      Ryan Wilson tells all about his Calcutta Cup fight with Owen Farrell in 2018

      Joe Launchbury’s return to the second row sees Maro Itoje switch to blindside flanker at the expense of Jonny Hill, who is omitted from the 23 altogether. Launchbury forms a new lock partnership with Charlie Ewels.

      With three second rows in the starting XV, Jones has opted against picking any engine room cover on the bench. Instead, flankers Ben Earl and Tom Curry are present.

      England have tinkered extensively since routing Italy with three changes, one positional, in the back line alone.

      Lawrence partners Henry Slade in midfield, forcing Jonathan Joseph to move to the wing, and Elliot Daly returns at full-back at the expense of George Furbank having recovered from a shin problem.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      The half-backs of Ben Youngs and Owen Farrell are still present, but the pack shows six changes, one positional, including two new starting props in Ellis Genge and Will Stuart.

      A second new cap could be won off the bench with Saracens’ Max Malins, who is loan at Bristol, providing back three cover.

      Saturday’s rivals will be meeting for only the third time and the first outside a World Cup with England posting resounding wins in 2003 and 2011.

      Georgia have lost all but one of their 31 games against current tier one opponents, their solitary win coming against Japan in 2014. The Brave Blossoms were elevated to the top table in May.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      “We’ve had a really good week of training. We know there are a lot of expectations on us and we’ve applied ourselves hard and put a lot of pressure on ourselves in the early part of this week,” Jones said.

      “Georgia will be a tough opponent, so we have a team with some real power in midfield.

      “We have a good mix of youth and experience across the squad and they are completely focused on putting in an excellent performance on Saturday.

      “We’re looking forward to being back at our home at Twickenham, we are humbled by the opportunity and want to give people a reason to smile during such a tough time for the country.”

      They will then travel to Llanelli to play Wales at Parc y Scarlets in their last group game on Saturday 28 November (4pm KO) before returning to Twickenham for their final Quilter International, a tournament placing match, on Sunday 6 December (2pm KO).

      https://twitter.com/EnglandRugby/status/1326842557259722752

      ENGLAND XV STARTERS
      15. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 43 caps)
      14. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 51 caps)
      13. Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, 1 cap)
      12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 30 caps)
      11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 57 caps)
      10. Owen Farrell (c) (Saracens, 83 caps)
      9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 100 caps)
      1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 19 caps)
      2. Jamie George (Saracens, 50 caps)
      3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
      4. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 16 caps)
      5. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 65 caps)
      6. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 39 caps)
      7. Jack Willis (Wasps, uncapped)
      8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 52 caps)

      FINISHERS
      16. Tom Dunn, (Bath Rugby, 1 cap)
      17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 60 caps)
      18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 36 caps)
      19. Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 4 caps)
      20. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 24 caps)
      21. Dan Robson (Wasps, 3 caps)
      22. Max Malins (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
      23. Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 3 caps)

      ADVERTISEMENT

      Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo vs Kubota Spears | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 Final | Full Match Replay

      Saitama Wild Knights vs Kobe Steelers | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 Bronze Final | Full Match Replay

      Boks Office | Episode 42 | Investec Champions Cup Final Review

      Spain's Incredible Rugby Sevens Journey to the World Championship Final | HSBC SVNS Embedded | Episode 14

      Australia vs USA | Pacific Four Series 2025 | Full Match Replay

      New Zealand vs Canada | Pacific Four Series 2025 | Full Match Replay

      South Africa vs New Zealand | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

      The Game that Made Jonah Lomu

      Trending on RugbyPass

      Comments

      0 Comments
      Be the first to comment...

      Join free and tell us what you really think!

      Sign up for free
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Latest Features

      Comments on RugbyPass

      f
      frandinand 1 hour ago
      The Reds' 'whimpering' exit shows Super Rugby scrums still matter

      My favorite wine used to be Shiraz and I also enjoy a nice malbec. But having discovered quality pinots my preferences have definitely changed. Sorry Nic. But the great red wines of the world are pinots. The problem is being able to afford them. A friend in NZ sent me this list of their top 25 across regions prices and styles Hope you can source some of them Carlos.

      Grove Mill 2023 Marlborough Pinot Noir - $15.99

      Ayrburn Whimsy 2019 Otago Pinot Noir - $19.99

      Mount Brown 2023 Waipara Pinot Noir - $19.99

      Rapaura Springs Reserve 2023 Marlborough Pinot Noir - $21.99

      Te Kairanga Estate 2024 Martinborough Pinot Noir - $24.99

      Terra Sancta Mysterious Diggings 2024 Otago Pinot Noir - $26.99

      Hunters 2023 Marlborough Pinot Noir – $26.99

      Clearview Estate 2024 Martinborough Pinot Noir - $27.99

      Putangi 2024 Otago Pinot Noir - $27.99

      McArthur Ridge Southern Tor 2024 Otago Pinot Noir - $35.99

      Ata Rangi Crimson 2023 Martinborough Pinot Noir - $38.99

      Neudorf Tom’s Block 2023 Moutere Pinot Noir - $38.99

      Te Kairanga John Martin 2024 Martinborough Pinot Noir - $39.99

      Terra Sancta Shingle Beach 2024 Otago Pinot Noir - $43.99

      Pyramid Valley Manatu 2022 Otago Pinot Noir - $44.99

      Maude Mohawk 2023 Otago Pinot Noir - $49.99

      Misha’s High Note 2021 Otago Pinot Noir - $50.99

      Quartz Reef Bendigo 2022 Otago Pinot Noir - $52.99

      Amisfield 2022 Otago Pinot Noir - $61.99

      Calvert Bannockburn 2021 Otago Pinot Noir - $64.99

      Prophet's Rock Home Vineyard 2023 Otago Pinot Noir - $79.99

      Greystone Vineyard Ferment 2021 Waipara Pinot Noir - $81.99

      Amisfield Breakneck Reserve 2022 Otago Pinot Noir - $92.99

      Clos Ostler Caroline’s 2021 Waitaki Pinot Noir - $112.99

      144 Go to comments
      TRENDING
      TRENDING ‘Lucky losers’ Chiefs bolstered by return of All Blacks duo for semi ‘Lucky losers’ Chiefs bolstered by return of All Blacks duo for semi
      Search