Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Ollie Sleightholme and Fin Smith will all feature for England against Japan on Sunday (24 November, kick-off: 4.10pm), as the quartet of Northampton Saints are named in Steve Borthwick’s matchday squad.
Freeman and Sleightholme reprise their roles on England’s wings again for the final Autumn Nations Series clash, while Furbank returns to the starting line-up after missing the 20-29 defeat to South Africa last time out to make his 14th international appearance.
And fly-half Smith gets his chance against Japan, as he is named amongst the replacements on Sunday – set to claim his sixth cap should he enter the action at Allianz Stadium, Twickeham.
“We anticipate a tough challenge from a team that thrives on playing fast and with tempo,” said England head coach Borthwick.
“Japan are a dangerous team so it’s important that we execute our game plan and maintain focus throughout the full 80 minutes.”
ENGLAND SIDE TO FACE JAPAN
15 George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 13 caps)
14 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)
13 Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 30 caps)
12 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 68 caps)
11 Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
10 Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 38 caps)
9 Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps)
1 Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 65 caps) – vice-captain
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 96 caps) – captain
3 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 44 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 87 caps) – vice-captain
5 George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps)
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 55 caps)
7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 39 caps)
8 Ben Earl (Saracens, 36 caps) – vice-captain
Replacements:
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 43 caps)
17 Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 5 caps)
18 Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
19 Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 14 caps)
20 Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 10 caps)
21 Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 10 caps)
22 Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
23 Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
