Jones: England are ready to get on the roller-coaster

Eddie Jones has declared that England are ready for the twists and turns of the World Cup rollercoaster after opting to face Tonga with all guns blazing.

Jones has selected his strongest available starting XV to take on the big-hitting Islanders in Sunday's opener at the Sapporo Dome by making only two changes to the side that overwhelmed Ireland last month.

The midfield that engineered a record 57-15 victory at Twickenham is back with George Ford picked at fly-half and playing inside a centre duo of captain Owen Farrell and Manu Tuilagi.

Only lock George Kruis and wing Joe Cokanasiga are missing with Courtney Lawes preferred in the second row and Anthony Watson lining up on the right wing.

With his side for the opening encounter of England's title quest now chosen, Jones turned his attention towards what awaits in Japan over the coming weeks.

"The players have worked hard. Physically I haven't seen them any better and off the field they've worked really hard to be a tight team," the Australian head coach said.

"And that's going to be tested in the World Cup because the World Cup is like a rollercoaster.

"We are at the top of the ride now and we are looking down - everyone's nervous, everyone's excited.

"You go down the first slope and you're not sure if you are going to throw up or hang on.

"You've got to adapt to that and the players have equipped themselves to ride the rollercoaster because there's going to be some turns, there's going to be some accidents, there's going to be some fun."

Cokanasiga has been struggling with a knee injury and despite being passed fit by the England management, he is unable to even win a place on the bench.

Instead, Watson is given the chance to continue the strong form he showed during the warm-up Tests to form one third of a rapid back three that also features Jonny May and Elliot Daly completing the back three.

Explaining Cokanasiga's absence, Jones said: "We feel that Anthony Watson this week is the right player to play against Tonga.”