Joe Cokanasiga to make bow for much-changed England

England head coach Eddie Jones has made 11 changes to the starting XV which faced New Zealand for their November Test with Japan at Twickenham.

Bath wing Joe Cokanasiga will make his England debut against Japan while the uncapped Worcester Warriors apprentice Ted Hill is among the replacements.

George Ford will start at fly-half and will captain England in his 50th match.

Jack Nowell and Alex Lozowski are the centre pairing while Saturday’s try-scorer Chris Ashton moves from right to left wing.

For the first time this series Danny Care will start at scrum-half with Richard Wigglesworth on the bench.

There are three changes to the front-row with Exeter Chiefs’ props Alec Hepburn and Harry Williams starting alongside Saracens’ hooker Jamie George. England’s starting front three against New Zealand are named on the bench.

Charlie Ewels will start in the second-row in place of the injured George Kruis and will partner Maro Itoje who is named as vice-captain.

In other changes to the forward pack, Courtney Lawes will play blindside flanker with Mark Wilson switching to openside flanker. Zach Mercer will make his first start for England at number eight.

[playbuzz-item item=”fe3449d5-ea72-49a5-a1a8-01f17ebbdf9c” info=”false” shares=”false” wp-pb-id=”784254″]

“Japan is an important game for us as we want to get back to winning ways,” said Jones. “We have also tested ourselves in having a shorter preparation. We gave the players two days off after three weeks of intensive work. We have had a short preparation but a good preparation.

“We are expecting plenty of energy, aggression and fast ball movement. They will be full of surprises, quick taps, lineouts and plays. They are going to have a bag of magic.”

On the squad selected, Jones added: “This weekend is a good opportunity for us to test the depth of the squad. A number of players have changed their roles going from finishers to starters and starters to finishers so that is the essential change to the squad.

“It is exciting to be able to give starting opportunities to Zach Mercer and Joe Cokanasiga and young Ted Hill on the bench.”

On Ford as captain, he said: “It’s a wonderful moment for him and his family. Fifty caps and captaining the side is a great honour and every game he plays for England he gives his absolute best.”

England: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Jack Nowell, 12 Alex Lozowski, 11 Chris Ashton, 10 George Ford (c), 9 Danny Care, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Mark Wilson, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Maro Itoje, 4 Charlie Ewels, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Jamie George, 1 Alec Hepburn
Replacements: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Ted Hill, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Henry Slade

Date: Saturday, November 17
Venue: Twickenham, London
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Dan Jones (Wales)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)