Steve Borthwick has confirmed his team to play Japan at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday as the squad looks to build upon a Six Nations that filled fans with much promise.
A statement released by the Rugby Football Union, reads:
‘Jamie George will captain England for the first ever official Test match between the two nations to be played in Japan. The England skipper will be supported by four vice-captains: Maro Itoje, Ben Earl, Henry Slade and Joe Marler.
In the front row, George is named at hooker alongside Bevan Rodd at loosehead prop and Dan Cole at tighthead. At lock, Itoje partners George Martin. The back row sees Chandler Cunningham-South on the blindside flank making his first Test start for England, with Sam Underhill at openside and Earl at No.8.
In the half-back berths, scrum-half Alex Mitchell is paired with Marcus Smith at 10. The midfield sees Ollie Lawrence named at inside centre with Slade at 13.
In the back three, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso starts on the right wing, with Tommy Freeman on the left and George Furbank selected at full-back to round off the starting line-up.
Amongst the replacements, Tom Roebuck will win his first England cap when he joins the action. The Sale Sharks wing takes his place on the substitutes bench alongside Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Charlie Ewels, Tom Curry, Harry Randall and Fin Smith.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge of playing Japan at their National Stadium,” said Borthwick.
“Conditions in Tokyo mean we’ll need to be accurate, keep our discipline, and maintain a level of intensity in our performance from the first whistle to the last.
“We will need to be at our very best against an opponent who will want to play fast.”’
JAPAN v ENGLAND
Saturday 22nd June 2024
National Stadium, Tokyo
Kick-off: 6.50am (BST)
15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 62 caps) – vice-captain
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 24 caps)
11. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 8 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 32 caps)
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 15 caps)
1. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 90 caps) – captain
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 112 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 81 caps) – vice-captain
5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 12 caps)
6. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 4 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 35 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 30 caps) – vice-captain
Replacements:
16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 12 caps)
17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 93 caps) – vice-captain
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 38 caps)
19. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 30 caps)
20. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 50 caps)
21. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 6 caps)
22. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
23. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
England’s Summer Series:
Japan v England, Saturday 22 June, National Stadium, kick-off 6.50am BST (RugbyPass TV)
New Zealand v England, Saturday 6 July, Forsyth Barr Stadium, kick-off 8.05am BST (Sky Sports)
New Zealand v England, Saturday 13 July, Eden Park, kick-off 8.05am BST (Sky Sports)
-ENDS-
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