Eddie Jones, England Rugby coach, has selected his England side to face New Zealand on Saturday making just one change.
SHARE:
England Rugby coach Eddie Jones has reintroduced fly-half George Ford to his starting 15 for their semi-final clash against New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup this Saturday.
George Ford returns to the starting line up after he was dropped for last weekend’s quarter-final against Australia. This is Eddie Jones’ only change to the team that beat the green and gold of Australia 40-16 on Saturday.
Captain Owen Farrell will move to inside centre alongside Manu Tuilagi whilst Henry Slade moves to the bench.
As such, Jones has reverted to the dual playmaker set up of Ford and Farrell used during the pool stages of the competition.
Of the change, Jones said: “It’s the two heavyweights of world rugby – one dressed in black, the crowd favourite, the nation’s favourite, the other in white, probably the most disliked team in the world.
“We just feel that it’s the best combination for the start of the game.
“New Zealand play a certain way, and George’s work-rate off the ball is going to be super-important for us.
“They bring a tactical awareness – when you play New Zealand you have to be practically very smart, and George and Owen together are probably at the forefront in that area in the world.”
Itoje and Lawes partnership stays
Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes and Billy Vunipola in training for their semi-final against New Zealand this Saturday. Credit: Getty Images
Jones has stuck to the second-row partnership of Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes preferred for the quarterfinal. George Kruis will remain among the replacements with back row Mark Wilson and centre Jonathan Joseph.
Meanwhile, winger Jonny May is fit to start after an injury scare during the win against Australia last weekend. However, back Jack Nowell has not recovered from his hamstring injury in time to be included in the matchday 23.
Flankers Tom Curry and Sam Underhill will combine again alongside No 8 Billy Vunipola who will receive is 50th cap in the match on Saturday.
Eddie Jones told BBC Radio 5Live: “There’s always nerves – you’re only human – but there’s that mixture between being nervous and excited which is the reason you coach.
“To be involved in a game like this is the most fantastic experience as a coach, and it’s what you live for.
“Our 31 players plus 20-odd staff believe we can win, and we’re the only people in Japan who believe we can win. We’ll take that situation and maximise it.”
Barrett is Kiwis’ only change
Steve Hansen, the New Zealand coach, has also made just one change to the side that faced Ireland last weekend.
Scott Barrett has replaced flanker Sam Cane in a shock move from the Kiwi coach. This will be the first time the lock has played a test match for New Zealand in the back row.
He joins his brothers Jordie and Beauden in the matchday 23.
Teams
England: Elliot Daly; Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Dan Cole, George Kruis, Mark Wilson, Willi Heinz, Henry Slade, Jonathan Joseph.
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett; Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, George Bridge; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, Kieran Read (capt).
Replacements: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett.
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineEngland Rugby: One change to team for New Zealand semi-final
Short HeadlineFord-Farrell partnership back for rugby semi-final against NZ
StandfirstEddie Jones has restored the Ford-Farrell partnership for his England side's semi-final showdown against reigning World Champions, New Zealand.
England Rugby coach Eddie Jones has reintroduced fly-half George Ford to his starting 15 for their semi-final clash against New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup this Saturday.
George Ford returns to the starting line up after he was dropped for last weekend’s quarter-final against Australia. This is Eddie Jones’ only change to the team that beat the green and gold of Australia 40-16 on Saturday.
Captain Owen Farrell will move to inside centre alongside Manu Tuilagi whilst Henry Slade moves to the bench. As such, Jones has reverted to the dual playmaker set up of Ford and Farrell used during the pool stages of the competition.
Of the change, Jones said: “It’s the two heavyweights of world rugby – one dressed in black, the crowd favourite, the nation’s favourite, the other in white, probably the most disliked team in the world.
“We just feel that it’s the best combination for the start of the game.
“New Zealand play a certain way, and George’s work-rate off the ball is going to be super-important for us.
“They bring a tactical awareness – when you play New Zealand you have to be practically very smart, and George and Owen together are probably at the forefront in that area in the world.”
Itoje and Lawes partnership stays
Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes and Billy Vunipola in training for their semi-final against New Zealand this Saturday (Getty)
Jones has stuck to the second-row partnership of Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes preferred for the quarterfinal. George Kruis will remain among the replacements with back row Mark Wilson and centre Jonathan Joseph.
Meanwhile, winger Jonny May is fit to start after an injury scare during the win against Australia last weekend. However, back Jack Nowell has not recovered from his hamstring injury in time to be included in the matchday 23.
Flankers Tom Curry and Sam Underhill will combine again alongside No 8 Billy Vunipola who will receive is 50th cap in the match on Saturday.
Eddie Jones told BBC Radio 5Live: “There’s always nerves – you’re only human – but there’s that mixture between being nervous and excited which is the reason you coach.
“To be involved in a game like this is the most fantastic experience as a coach, and it’s what you live for.
“Our 31 players plus 20-odd staff believe we can win, and we’re the only people in Japan who believe we can win. We’ll take that situation and maximise it.”
Barrett is Kiwi’s only change
Steve Hansen, the New Zealand coach, has also made just one change to the side that faced Ireland last weekend.
Scott Barrett has replaced flanker Sam Cane in a shock move from the Kiwi coach. This will be the first time the lock has played a test match for New Zealand in the back row.
He joins his brothers Jordie and Beauden in the matchday 23.
Teams
England: Elliot Daly; Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Dan Cole, George Kruis, Mark Wilson, Willi Heinz, Henry Slade, Jonathan Joseph.
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett; Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, George Bridge; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, Kieran Read (capt).
Replacements: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett.
England Rugby coach Eddie Jones has reintroduced fly-half George Ford to his starting 15 for their semi-final clash against New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup this Saturday.
George Ford returns to the starting line up after he was dropped for last weekend’s quarter-final against Australia. This is Eddie Jones’ only change to the team that beat the green and gold of Australia 40-16 on Saturday.
Captain Owen Farrell will move to inside centre alongside Manu Tuilagi whilst Henry Slade moves to the bench.
As such, Jones has reverted to the dual playmaker set up of Ford and Farrell used during the pool stages of the competition.
Of the change, Jones said: “It’s the two heavyweights of world rugby – one dressed in black, the crowd favourite, the nation’s favourite, the other in white, probably the most disliked team in the world.
“We just feel that it’s the best combination for the start of the game.
“New Zealand play a certain way, and George’s work-rate off the ball is going to be super-important for us.
“They bring a tactical awareness – when you play New Zealand you have to be practically very smart, and George and Owen together are probably at the forefront in that area in the world.”
Itoje and Lawes partnership stays
Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes and Billy Vunipola in training for their semi-final against New Zealand this Saturday. Credit: Getty Images
Jones has stuck to the second-row partnership of Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes preferred for the quarterfinal. George Kruis will remain among the replacements with back row Mark Wilson and centre Jonathan Joseph.
Meanwhile, winger Jonny May is fit to start after an injury scare during the win against Australia last weekend. However, back Jack Nowell has not recovered from his hamstring injury in time to be included in the matchday 23.
Flankers Tom Curry and Sam Underhill will combine again alongside No 8 Billy Vunipola who will receive is 50th cap in the match on Saturday.
Eddie Jones told BBC Radio 5Live: “There’s always nerves – you’re only human – but there’s that mixture between being nervous and excited which is the reason you coach.
“To be involved in a game like this is the most fantastic experience as a coach, and it’s what you live for.
“Our 31 players plus 20-odd staff believe we can win, and we’re the only people in Japan who believe we can win. We’ll take that situation and maximise it.”
Barrett is Kiwis’ only change
Steve Hansen, the New Zealand coach, has also made just one change to the side that faced Ireland last weekend.
Scott Barrett has replaced flanker Sam Cane in a shock move from the Kiwi coach. This will be the first time the lock has played a test match for New Zealand in the back row.
He joins his brothers Jordie and Beauden in the matchday 23.
Teams
England: Elliot Daly; Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Dan Cole, George Kruis, Mark Wilson, Willi Heinz, Henry Slade, Jonathan Joseph.
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett; Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, George Bridge; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, Kieran Read (capt).
Replacements: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett.
