George, Care start as Eddie makes nine changes for Samoa
LONDON: Hooker Jamie George will finally make his first start for England after 19 appearances off the bench as coach Eddie Jones yesterday named a side featuring nine changes to play Samoa at Twickenham tomorrow.
George was first-choice hooker for the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand earlier this year, but for the last two years, he has had to sit behind leader Dylan Hartley for England.
The captain is on the bench this week, while several other key players have been left out of the squad.
Jones was always expected to experiment for tomorrow’s match, which should be a straightforward one against a Samoa team struggling for any sort of form.
Scrumhalf Danny Care, who set up two tries and scored a third in a superb late cameo in last week’s record win over Australia, gets a rare start, while Alex Lozowski and Henry Slade will form an exciting new centre partnership.
Sam Simmonds will make his first start at No 8 in the absence of the injured Nathan Hughes, with Charlie Ewels in the second row and Mike Brown returning at fullback for Roses.
With Owen Farrell again rested, flyhalf George Ford and Chris Robshaw, switched to openside flank, have been named co-captains as England expect to complete a hat-trick of wins from their November Tests.
“This week it is an opportunity for some squad members who haven’t been playing to put their best foot forward,” Jones said.
“We want to follow up last week’s performance against Australia and play better again this week, but we are expecting Samoa to be immensely physical and committed.”
There is never any doubt about that, but the islanders have shown precious little else over the last few years during a dire run.
Last week they were beaten by Romania to extend their losing streak to eight matches, while they have lost all seven of their previous games against England, the most recent being a 28-9 defeat three years ago.
World Rugby officials have said claims made earlier this month that the Samoan Rugby Union was bankrupt were inaccurate, but the financial gulf between the visitors and England will be there for all to see tomorrow.
The Rugby Football Union will make about £10million all-in from the fixture and is giving the Samoans £75 000 as a goodwill gesture.
Plans for the England players to donate part of their individual £23 000 match fee to their rivals, who will get about £600 each, were shelved over integrity concerns. – Reuters
15 Mike Brown, 14 Jonny May, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Alex Lozowski, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford co-captain, 9 Danny Care; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Maro Itoje, 7 Chris Robshaw co-captain, 8 Sam Simmonds
16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Courtney Lawes, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Piers Francis, 23 Semesa Rokoduguni.