RUGBY SHORTS
÷OWEN FARRELL has been hailed as England’s ‘spiritual leader’ after being named to start at out-half in tomorrow’s clash with South Africa at Twickenham. The Lion got the nod ahead of George Ford and will make only his third start in the position since the launch of the Eddie Jones era in 2016, forming a midfield trio alongside Ben Te’o and Henry Slade. Already England’s cocaptain, tactical general and goalkicker, Jones has now entrusted the Saracen with the playmaking duties as the countdown to next year’s World Cup enters a key phase. ‘Owen’s a good decision maker and he has a very good tactical kicking game. He’s bit of a spiritual leader in our side,’ said Jones.
ENGLAND: E Daly; J Nowell, H Slade, B Te’o, J May; O Farrell (co-capt), B Youngs; A Hepburn, D Hartley (co-capt), K Sinckler; M Itoje, G Kruis; B Shields, M Wilson, T Curry. Reps: J George, B Moon, H Williams, C Ewels, Z Mercer, D Care, G Ford, M Tuilagi. ÷RASSIE ERASMUS has insisted no South African will ever write off an Eddie Jones team after he inspired Japan to the World Cup’s greatest giant-killing. Erasmus claimed every South African can tell you exactly where they were when Jones’ Japan shocked the Springboks 34-32 in Brighton on September 19, 2015 and says he has the utmost respect for the England coach ahead of tomorrow’s clash in Twickenham. ‘That day and game is something any South African can always tell you where they were when they watched that game,’ said Erasmus. ‘Eddie is a sharp coach. He knows a lot about South Africa. He helped us win the World Cup in 2007. He knows our players and playing style.’
SOUTH AFRICA: D Willemse; S Nkosi, J Kriel, D de Allende, A Dyantyi; H Pollard, I van Zyl; S Kitshoff, M Marx, F Malherbe; E Etzebeth, P-S du Toit; S Kolisi (capt), W Whiteley, D Vermeulen.
Reps: B Mbonambi, T du Toit, W Louw, RG Snyman, L de Jager, E Papier, E Jantjies, A Esterhuizen. ÷OSPREYS wing and Sevens star Luke Morgan will make his debut for Wales against Scotland at the Principality Stadium tomorrow. Morgan, who is Wales’ record try-scorer on the world sevens circuit, returned to Ospreys colours this season following a six-year stint in rugby’s abbreviated format and made a first Pro 14 appearance in September.
WALES: L Halfpenny; G North, J Davies, H Parkes, L Morgan; G Anscombe, G Davies; N Smith, K Owens, D Lewis; C Hill, AW Jones; D Lydiate, J Tipuric, R Moriarty. Reps: E Dee, R Evans, L Brown, A Beard, A Wainwright, T Williams, J Evans, S Evans.