- England are preparing to take on Japan at Twickenham on Sunday afternoon
England have reinstated their kamikaze kid partnership of Tom Curry and Sam Underhill for Sunday’s Test against Japan.
Curry has been recalled to the team after he was knocked out against Australia, replacing Chandler Cunningham-South in the back-row.
After a run of five straight defeats, Steve Borthwick has called upon familiar combinations to face Eddie Jones’ side, with George Furbank recalled at full-back.
Furbank has replaced Freddie Steward in the No 15 jersey, after Borthwick tried to suffocate the Springboks with a kick-focussed strategy.
Veteran prop Dan Cole has been dropped from the bench, replaced by rookie prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour.
‘We anticipate a tough challenge from a team that thrives on playing fast and with tempo,’ said Borthwick, who has made just two changes to his starting XV.
Tom Curry (2nd right) and George Furbank (left) return to starting XV for the clash with Japan
‘Japan are a dangerous team so it’s important that we execute our game plan and maintain focus throughout the full 80 minutes.’
England are heavy favourite to beat Japan and end their losing streak.
Jones pulled out of his team announcement press conference on Friday due to ‘health reasons’ but the Australian is still plotting a plan to destabilise his former employers.
England team to face Japan
First XV: George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 13 caps), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 14 caps), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 30 caps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 68 caps), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 4 caps), Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 38 caps), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 65 caps) – vice-captain, Jamie George (Saracens, 96 caps) – captain, Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 44 caps), Maro Itoje (Saracens, 87 caps) – vice-captain, George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 55 caps), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 39 caps), Ben Earl (Saracens, 36 caps) – vice-captain
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 43 caps), Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 5 caps), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, uncapped), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 14 caps), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 10 caps), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 10 caps), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 5 caps), Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)