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Rugby News

Ford captains England in landmark Test

George Ford will captain England against Japan on Saturday in his 50th Test cap.

The Leicester Tigers fly-half will lead out England at Twickenham in their third Quilter International of the autumn and is the only member of the Tigers contingent included in the matchday squad for this fixture.

Head coach Eddie Jones has made 11 changes to the starting line-up from the game against New Zealand last weekend with two positional switches.
 
Joe Cokanasiga will make his debut, with Chris Ashton on the other wing as Jonny May sits out after starting against both the All Blacks and South Africa, and Ben Youngs misses out with Danny Care starting at scrum-half with Richard Wigglesworth in reserve.

Jack Nowell and Alex Lozowski team up at centre, with Manu Tuilagi still waiting for his first opportunity of the autumn.

Coach Jones said: “This is a good opportunity for us to test the depth of the squad. A number of players have changed their roles, going from finishers to starters and starters to finishers, so that is the essential change to the squad.”

On naming Ford as captain, Jones added: “It’s a wonderful moment for him and his family. Fifty caps and captaining the side is a great honour and every game he plays for England he gives his absolute best.”
 
This is only the second Test match between the two nations, with the only previous encounter in the 1987 Rugby World Cup when England won 60-7 in Sydney, Australia.
 
There is live coverage of Saturday’s game on Sky Sports Action and Main Event.

England (v Japan, Twickenham, Saturday 3.00pm)

15 Elliot Daly (Wasps, 23 caps)
14 Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
13 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 28 caps)
12 Alex Lozowski (Saracens, 4 caps)
11 Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks, 41 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 49 caps)(c)
9 Danny Care (Harlequins, 83 caps)
1 Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs, 4 caps)
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 30 caps)
3 Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 13 caps)
4 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 8 caps)
5 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 24 caps) vice-captain
6 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 66 caps)
7 Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons, 6 caps)
8 Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby, 1 cap)
 
Replacements
16 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints, 95 caps)
17 Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs, 2 caps)
18 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 15 caps)
19 Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors, uncapped)
20 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 7 caps)
21 Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 31 caps)
22 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 63 caps)
23 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 15 caps)