Chiefs quartet to face Japan

By Mark Stevens
10/11/22

Exeter Chiefs forward Sam Simmonds is one of five changes Eddie Jones has made to his England starting line-up for Saturday’s Autumn International against Japan at Twickenham Stadium (3.15pm).

No.8 Simmonds starts ahead of Billy Vunipola at the anchor of the England scrum, whilst the other change up front sees David Ribbans make his England debut after being named at lock.

Behind the scrum, Jack van Poortvliet will start at scrum-half ahead of his Leicester team-mate Ben Young, whilst another Tiger, Guy Porter, comes into the midfield alongside skipper Owen Farrell.

The other change sees a return for Jonny May, following injury, for the first time since November 2021 on the left wing.

Simmonds’ fellow Chiefs, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jack Nowell, also start the contest with Henry Slade included on the bench.

Jones said: “We’ve worked hard this week to improve on last week’s performance. We’ve taken a good look at our preparation and we are happy with our position going into the game.

“We’ve made a few changes to the side as we play these four games in November. In particular with Manu we are balancing his workload.

“Japan are a very good and intriguing side. They play a unique type of rugby based on continuity and team cohesion and we’ll have to be at our best against them at Twickenham on Saturday.”

ENGLAND SQUAD TO FACE JAPAN

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps)
14. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 43 caps)
13. Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, capt, 98 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 69 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 14 caps)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 4 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 40 caps)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 38 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 53 caps)
4. David Ribbans (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
5. Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks, 16 caps)
6. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 59 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 42 caps)
8. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 15 caps)

16. Jamie George (Saracens, 69 caps)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 71 caps)
18. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 6 caps)
19. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
20. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 65 caps)
21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 118 caps)
22. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 49 caps)
23. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 47 caps)