Hartley set for bench duty

EDDIE JONES was today poised to start Jamie George at hooker, relegating co-captain Dylan Hartley to the bench, for Saturday’s Test against Japan.

Hartley (right) has been a “finisher” just once before under Jones, who prefers George to come off the bench as he did against New Zealand. When he came on last Saturday, England’s lineout went awry.y

The switch would leave Owen Farrell to captain the team on his own. Danny Care is set to start at scrum-half, while Joe Cokanasiga could make his debut and Alex Lozowski is back in contention after suspensuspension.

ChCharlie Ewels and Courtney LaLawes are vying to replace George Kruis in the second row. Zach Mercer is set to wwin his second cap in the bback-row, possibly through a ffirst start at No8.

KyleKy Sinckler could be given a run from the bench but is eager to start. When told that Jones said he wanted to “smash” Japan, Sinckler said: “That is music to my ears.”

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