HOLD FIRE, LADS
Eddie opts to rest his star duo for opener
ENGLAND will omit Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell from the match- day squad for Saturday’s autumn opener against Argentina at Twickenham as part of a strategy to manage the workload of their Lions.
Eddie Jones is due to name his team this morning for the clash with the Pumas and the Saracens pair — regarded by the head coach as two of the country’s few world-class players — are set to be rested.
They are fit and available, but Jones has a long-term plan to rotate his personnel this month and that is being put into effect.
Sportsmail understands Farrell’s club understudy Alex Lozowski will play at inside centre for this latest encounter with the South Americans, after winning his first two caps in Argentina in June.
Lozowski is primarily a fly-half by trade, but the 24-year-old can also operate at 12 and is capable of covering full back if required.
Remarkably — having apparently been ruled out of most if not all of England’s November schedule — Elliot Daly will start on the wing this weekend.
The versatile, goal- kicking Wasps back, who started all three Tests for the Lions in New Zealand, has made a spectacularly swift recovery from a knee injury sustained in a Premiership fixture against Northampton on October 28.
At first, his club expected him to be out of action for three weeks, but he is available despite missing last week’s England training camp in Portugal and will line up on the left flank.
Daly’s fellow Lions wing Anthony Watson of Bath plays on the opposite side. As both men are starting this game, there is every chance they will miss at least one of the remaining two autumn Tests, against Australia or, more likely, Samoa.
There is a setback for Jonny May, as the prolific Leicester finisher — with 10 tries in his first nine matches this season — is not quite fully fit again after straining a hamstring in the Algarve.
However, Sportsmail understands the 27-year-old is on course to play against the Wallabies.
Mike Brown will continue at full back, while Jonathan Joseph is set to form a new-look midfield alliance with Lozowski.
Jones will name his first-choice Leicester half-back pairing of Ben Youngs and George Ford.
Up front, Dylan Hartley will start at hooker and lead the side once again, despite the presence of Jamie George to rekindle the debate over the pecking order. The veteran Hartley is still firmly endorsed by Jones as the right man to captain England.
Dan Cole is due to return at tighthead, with Harry Williams of Exeter poised to make an impact off the bench.
In the absence of Itoje, Courtney Lawes will partner George Kruis in the second row and Joe Launchbury is set to be named as the replacement lock on the bench.
Chris Robshaw is to start once again at blindside and he will be charged with covering No 8 if Nathan Hughes has to withdraw before the end of the game.
Sam Underhill has been chosen at openside, with Tom Curry deputising among the reserves.