England predicted team v Japan: Steve Borthwick to make ‘bold’ changes to avoid ’embarrassing whitewash’
Steve Borthwick could make some big calls to ensure England win their first game this November.
England head into a make-or-break fixture with Japan this weekend looking to avoid an embarrassing Autumn Nations Series whitewash.
Steve Borthwick’s side have lost all three of their November Tests, falling to New Zealand, Australia and most recently South Africa, and the England head coach now has some serious food for thought in terms of selection as they hope to change the narrative.
There almost certainly needs to be some changes to the squad, given the fact they haven’t won a game, but yet Borthwick has still deployed virtually his strongest squad this autumn and might go strong again to ensure they finally end this torrid run of form.
But, how will England line up for this pivotal clash with Japan? Well, here is our take on a predicted starting XV.
15 George Furbank
Northampton Saints full-back George Furbank should return to the 15 spot this weekend, with Japan less likely to kick deep. Furbank hasn’t had his best autumn, but it’s not entirely his fault as England haven’t really used him in the best way possible. The likely faster and more expansive game this weekend should bring the best out of him though.
14 Tom Roebuck
With Immanuel Feyi-Waboso still on the sidelines with a concussion, and Tommy Freeman moving into midfield (spoiler alert), it could mean a first start for Sale Sharks winger Tom Roebuck. He has only been afforded brief cameos in an England jersey to date, but he has looked pretty busy out wide during his stints off the bench against Japan and South Africa, and he is also one of the most threatening backs in the Premiership too, so he could easily do a decent job in the England starting XV.
13 Tommy Freeman
A bold call here, but with the Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence partnership still not working, it could be a chance to move Freeman to outside centre. He had a much busier game against the Springboks, and also fitted into the system nicely when deployed at 13 for a brief spell as he was able to make some decent inroads through the defence.
12 Ollie Lawrence
I still don’t think he’s a 12, but Lawrence will likely move back here should Slade be axed from the squad. Borthwick does like to use Lawrence as that crash-ball 12, which he’s not, but it worked well against Japan in the summer and he could do a decent job of it again this weekend.
11 Ollie Sleightholme
Has excelled in his two appearances this autumn, and should retain his spot in the starting XV this weekend. He is such a busy player around the pitch, and is always looking for ways to get his hands on the ball. Against Japan, his speed and eye for a gap will be crucial.
10 Marcus Smith
The man of the moment will almost certainly remain in the number 10 jersey this weekend. He has by far been England’s best player in the three Tests this autumn, and has been at the heart of everything good for his side. Japan is also a game that suits him perfectly, with it likely to be a fast-paced affair.
9 Harry Randall
Another change to the starting XV here, but this game should really suit Harry Randall’s skillset to a T. He loves to play at high speed, which usually happens when you play Japan, but crucially he will add a serious threat around the breakdown with his sniping ability. It’ll be interesting to see how he fares in the starting XV, after featuring off the bench in the three previous Tests this autumn.
8 Ben Earl
Borthwick will likely want continuity in the pack, which means Ben Earl will likely keep his spot in the starting XV. He was much-improved against the Springboks, and got a lot more involved in the carry, where he excels. This weekend, though, he could have a lot more broken field to exploit too, which is when he really comes into his own.
7 Sam Underhill
You just wonder why Borthwick kept him caged up in the previous two Tests, as he returned with a bang against South Africa. He just seemed to be everywhere in defence, and produced some crunching tackles against an immense pack, and that should see him retain his place this weekend.
6 Chandler Cunningham-South
It’s been a steady autumn for Chandler Cunningham-South, and he certainly deserves to keep his place in the starting team. The Quins man has been solid in defence, but also blended that with some nice touches in attack too. He also excelled in the previous Test against Japan in the summer, and his abrasive nature should cause havoc.
5 George Martin
The Leicester lock has been heavily involved in a lot of decent stuff for England this autumn, especially in the tight, and with Borthwick likely to keep the bulk of his pack together he should again start against Japan. He adds some much-needed beef to the defence too, which could prove vital in limiting the quick Japanese attack.
4 Maro Itoje
A key leader in this side, and England need him to really step up again in this area. He has also been pretty solid for the most part this autumn, especially in the set-piece.
3 Will Stuart
You’d expect Will Stuart has now locked down the starting tighthead role after a pretty decent November. This was exactly the sort of run he needed at Test level, after a fairly stop-and-start time with England to date.
2 Jamie George
The skipper has been key to England’s set-piece this autumn, and he will once again be a crucial part of the starting XV. His leadership and experience are also vital in getting this team in the lead, but they need to find someone who can replicate this in the latter stages.
1 Ellis Genge
Incredibly powerful in the carry, and he should be used as a wrecking ball against Japan. Genge is also another crucial leader in this team, which will be key if George goes off.
Bench: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Fin Baxter, Trevor Davison, Ted Hill, Tom Curry, Ben Spencer, Fin Smith, Alex Lozowski
The bench will most likely see the most changes. Something certainly needs to change, given their inability to score points in the final quarter, and this game gives Borthwick the perfect chance to try things out. Luke Cowan-Dickie and Fin Baxter will potentially be the only ones to retain their spots on the bench, with Trevor Davison, Ted Hill, Tom Curry, Ben Spencer, Fin Smith and Alex Lozowski all possible options to come in.
Davison has been vying for a spot for some time now and could lock down the scrum in that final bit, Curry would add heaps of leadership and quality to things in the final stages, which has been a major issue this autumn. Hill has also been one of the form players in the Premiership this year, and would add a fresh dynamic to either the second-row or back-row if given a shot.
England’s gameplan has been crying out for a nine to come on and close the game out, and who better to do this than Spencer, who has that ability to just ice the crucial moments. Rounding off the side, F. Smith and Lozowski could have a decent effect on the backline, and their style would suit the Japan game nicely.
