Western Morning News (Saturday)

Moon to make first England start

- BY MARK STEVENS

Exeter Chiefs prop Ben Moon will make his first-ever Test start after he was today named in the England starting line-up for Saturday’s second Quilter Autumn Internatio­nal Test match against New Zealand at Twickenham this afternoon.

The loose-head prop – who takes over from club-mate Alec Hepburn in the front-row – is one of three changes Eddie Jones has made to starting XV that beat South Africa 12-11 last weekend.

Elsewhere, Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), who scored a try when England last beat New Zealand in 2012, will start on the right wing in place of Chiefs’ star Jack Nowell, while Sam Underhill comes in at open-side flanker following an ankle injury to Tom Curry (Sale Sharks).

There are three changes to the bench with Hepburn and Nowell joining Courtney Lawes as finishers. Also named on the bench is Exeter's Harry Williams, while Henry Slade keeps his place in the starting line-up at outside centre.

Jones said: “The expectatio­n for Saturday is no different to any other Test match. We want to be at our best, better than we were in the previous Test match and we want to play with pride and passion which ignites the fan.

“It’s been a good week, the players have recovered well, trained well on Tuesday, exceptiona­lly well on Wednesday and we look forward to the challenge of taking on New Zealand on Saturday.

“The crowd last week was wonderful, we had great support and enthusiasm for the game and they saw a great Test match and I’m sure on Saturday they will see another.”

Meanwhile, Chiefs are in action, at home, against Harlequins in the Premiershi­p Rugby Cup this afternoon.

 ?? PPAUK ?? Ben Moon makes a tackle after coming off the bench in their game against South Africa last weekend
PPAUK Ben Moon makes a tackle after coming off the bench in their game against South Africa last weekend

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