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

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.

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.

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

Boks Office, with guest Steven Kitshoff, discuss England’s loss to the Springboks. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV now

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

Boks Office, with guest Steven Kitshoff, discuss England’s loss to the Springboks. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV now

Watch now

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

-24

Points Difference

-71

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.”