Japan vs England: Marcus Smith to begin at No 10 as Steve Borthwick makes 4 adjustments for tour opener | Rugby Union Information

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Marcus Smith will return to England’s beginning XV to face Japan on Saturday as Steve Borthwick’s facet put together for subsequent month’s tour of New Zealand

Within the absence of Owen Farrell and George Ford, Smith has been given the chance to cement his place as England’s fly-half.

The 25-year-old’s return is one among 4 adjustments to the England staff that completed their Six Nations marketing campaign with a slim defeat to France in March, as Chandler Cunningham-South comes into the facet for his first worldwide begin.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will begin from the precise wing in Tokyo as he earns simply his fourth cap, taking the place of Elliot Daly, who’s lacking the tour to attend the delivery of his first youngster.

Bevan Rodd begins at loosehead prop in England’s entrance row within the absence of the injured Ellis Genge.

On England’s bench, Sale winger Tom Roebuck is about to make his worldwide debut, whereas Fin Smith offers backup at fly-half.

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England’s six uncapped gamers obtained their likelihood to impress head coach Steve Borthwick earlier than they flew out to Japan for the beginning of their summer time tour.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge of playing Japan at their National Stadium,” Borthwick stated after naming his facet on Tuesday, 48 hours sooner than normal.

“Conditions in Tokyo mean we’ll need to be accurate, keep our discipline, and maintain a level of intensity in our performance from the first whistle to the last.

“We are going to should be at our best towards an opponent who will wish to play quick.”

Several of England’s squad will come up against their former coach Eddie Jones who is starting his second spell in charge of Japan.

Captain Jamie George and vice-captains Maro Itoje, Ben Earl, Henry Slade and Joe Marler are just some of the players to have featured heavily under the Australian between 2015 and 2022.

The match will be the first official Test between the two nations to be played in Japan, as England make their way to New Zealand for matches on July 6 and 13, both of which are live on Sky Sports.

England: 15 George Furbank, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 11 Tommy Freeman, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 1 Bevan Rodd, 2 Jamie George (c), 3 Dan Cole, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl.

Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Harry Randall, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Tom Roebuck.

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