Boxing clever as Red Roses bid to avoid knockout blow

Eddie Jones has likened England’s World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Yokohama tomorrow to a heavyweight boxing fight, declaring: “We are ready to go.”

George Ford has been restored at fly-half in the only change to the starting XV that demolished Australia as Jones reverts to the twin playmaker option that has served him well during the build-up to the tournament and in the group phase.

To accommodate Ford, captain Owen Farrell moves to inside centre and Manu Tuilagi shifts to 13 with Henry Slade dropping to the bench.

Jones began planning for tomorrow’s showdown since the World Cup draw was made in Kyoto in May 2017 and, now that the moment has arrived, he insists his team will rise to the occasion.

“We are ready for the game, we’ve had two-and-a-half years to prepare for this game so we are ready to go,” Jones said.

“It’s going to be a great contest. Two heavyweights, one dressed in black, one dressed in white.

“You couldn’t think of a better scenario.”

Against the Wallabies in the quarter-finals, it was felt that England needed to add steel to their defence to contain Samu Kerevi, resulting in Ford being demoted to the bench. For reigning champions New Zealand, who have not lost a World Cup match since 2007, it is believed the Leicester fly-half ’s cunning will be crucial.

“Every game we have a look at the conditions, the opposition, what we think we need to do, what we need to take away from the opposition, and this is the best fit for us. Horses for courses,” Jones said.

“We just feel it’s the right combination this week.”

Alun Wyn Jones