#4. Ben Youngs
I-News 5/10: “The Ben Youngs haters will have loved this one. Was visibly slow compared to Jack van Poortvliet’s arrival. His inventive chip kick from base off ruck almost resulted in a Marcus Smith try and the ensuing scrum led to Cokanasiga’s try. But it’s clear that JvP or Raffi Quirke are the nines to turn to with a World Cup on the horizon.”
Evening Standard 5/10: “Struggled to put England on the front foot around the fringes,”
Replacements: Jack Van Poortvliet
Ben Youngs facts:
- Youngs has been a Premiership Rugby champion five times, winning in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013 and in 2022.
- His father Nick Youngs played scrum-half for both Leicester and England
- Youngs is married to Charlotte. They have two children, son Boris and daughter Billie
#5. Jack Nowell
Rugby Pass 5/10: “He coughed up a costly fumble in the 73rd minute.”
I-News 5/10: ” Quiet-ish first half as Cokanasiga took the ball and the headlines. He was caught exposed too and too narrow in defence for Argentina’s opening try.”
Telegraph 5/10: “Wants to be involved off his wing but had limited touches with ball in hand compared to Cokanasiga and just doesn’t feel like England are making the most of him.”
Replacement: Jonny May, Adam Radwan, Cadan Murley or Ollie Hassell-Collins (There are probable a few more)
Jack Nowell Facts:
- Nowell was originally a product of the Cornish Pirates junior section
- His position of choice is wing but he can also play as a Full-Back or Outside Centre
- 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
RUCK’s suggested England XV to face Japan: Steward, Cokanasiga, Slade, Tuilagi, May, Farrell, van Poortvliet; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Sinckler, Hill, Itoje, Willis, Curry, Dombrandt