England head coach Eddie Jones has retained 25 players ahead of their Autumn Nations Series clash with Japan at Twickenham on Saturday.
South African-born forward David Ribbans could make his debut in a pretty much unchanged squad from last weekend’s defeat to Argentina.
Social Reaction:
One fan wrote: “Same old, same old. If at first you don’t succeed……obviously not the right time to try some exciting new talent.”
“It’s like they’re deliberately trying to stop me watching. I’ve not enjoyed an England game for well over a year and this team isn’t suggesting that’s going to change this weekend,” said a second.
A third wrote: “Same old boring back line as saturday then… jones has no ambition to change does he.
“Jones out.. can’t stand this dross uninspiring boring ongoing crap,” commented a fourth.
Squad update:
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Warren Gatland’s England XV to face Japan
Back-three:
- 15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
- 14. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
- 11. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath RFC)
DID YOU KNOW?
- In May 2022 Steward was named as the Rugby Players’ Association Player’s Young player of the year and England men’s player of the season
- In April 2017, Nowell was called up for the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, becoming the first player to be selected from Exeter Chiefs by the Lions
- Cokanasiga was born in Fiji but before his third birthday, moved to England with his father, Ilaitia, who was in the British Army
Centres:
- 13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
- 12. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks)
DID YOU KNOW?
- He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team, Manu Samoa, because his brother Freddie was selected for Samoa at the World Cup in 1991, the year Manu was born