Simmonds to make first start as Jones shuffles the pack

No 8 to replace injured Hughes against Samoa Lozowski and Slade to form new-look midfield

Sam Simmonds is poised to make his first start for England as part of a makeshift back row after Nathan Hughes was last night ruled out of the final autumn Test match against Samoa with a knee injury.

Hughes, who started the victories against Argentina and Australia, has bruising in a knee joint and will require treatment for up to four weeks.

Eddie Jones, the England head coach, is also set to name a reshuffled back line after Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph, who started the victory against Australia at full-back and outside centre, were both released back to their club Bath.

Alex Lozowski is also in line for a first start of the autumn as part of an expected new-look midfield alongside Henry Slade, reuniting an axis alongside George Ford that excelled on the tour of Argentina in June.

The changes to the back row, however, have been forced on Jones, who was already without openside Sam Underhill, who picked up his second concussion of the season on Saturday.

Simmonds, the 23-year-old Exeter player, has already impressed Jones in his two cameo displays at No 8 against Argentina and Australia, while it is likely that Maro Itoje will also come into the back row for his first start of the autumn campaign alongside Chris Robshaw. Lozowski appears to be in line to replace Owen Farrell, who had a limited role during an open training session yesterday, and the Saracen, who caught the eye with a late break in the victory over Argentina, says he would relish the chance to reunite his partnership with Slade if he gets the nod.

“For a first go over in Argentina [in June], it wasn’t too bad for a first outing together,” said Lozowski. “George and Henry are both creative and unbelievably talented players so it was a joy to play with them. Hopefully we can do the same this weekend. We will get a good week of training under our belt and try to gel nicely and then take confidence from the way we have trained and hopefully create some opportunities,” he added.

Jones expects Samoa to provide a level of physicality that will be similar to that which his side will face against Tonga in the World Cup pool stages in Japan in 2019.

Lozowski, who has forged a reputation at Saracens as a player who does not shirk away from collisions, said it was important England’s game plan denied the Samoans the opportunity to impose themselves.

“We know they are a physical team,” Lozowski added. “They are pretty direct with the ball and in defence they are looking for that big hit.

“We will have to make sure we are smart with the way we play in attack in terms of not giving them the opportunity to hit us.

“On the flip side of that, defensively we know what is coming. If I am selected this weekend I will be fully aware of what will be coming my way in terms of that direct, physical confrontation.”

England prepared accordingly in an intense training session at Pennyhill Park yesterday, which included a visit by Jonny Wilkinson.

“It was another tough one,” Lozowski added. “We wanted to take it up another level and that showed in training.”

Meanwhile, Seilala Mapusua the former Samoa and London Irish centre, believes that any donations by England players from their £22,000 match fee to their Samoan counterparts on £650 a match would provide only “a band-aid” solution while deeper issues remain to be addressed.

There has been a widespread appeal launched, #helpsamoa, to try to offset financial problems within the Samoan union that declared itself bankrupt only a few weeks ago, a claim that is disputed by World Rugby. In the last World Cup cycle to 2015, some £17million was invested in Samoan rugby.

The RFU, which can expect a turnover of £10 million from the gate at Twickenham on Saturday, has also pledged an ex-gratia donation of £75,000 to the Samoan union as a gesture of goodwill.