England team: Three uncapped players to start versus the USA as Steve Borthwick makes mass changes following Argentina success
England players celebrate in Argentina last Saturday
Steve Borthwick has retained just three England players from last weekend’s series-clinching win over Argentina, making 12 changes to his run-on team, including three uncapped players to start versus the USA this Saturday.
England backed up their series-opening 35-12 win over Los Pumas on July 5 in La Plata with a 22-17 triumph in San Juan secured through sub Jack van Poortvliet last-minute try.
Having begun their summer with a late 24-26 loss to a France XV in an uncapped international at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, they will wrap up their four-match schedule in Washington DC with a team selection giving debut Test caps to lock Arthur Clark, midfielder Max Ojomoh and full-back Joe Carpenter.
The tally of Test newcomers could rise to six versus the Americans as hooker Gabriel Oghre, fly-half Charlie Atkinson, and utility back Oscar Beard have also been named as replacements.
All eight subs from last week promoted to start
Just three of England’s starting heroes from San Juan – skipper George Ford, the one-cap centre Luke Northmore and second-row Alex Coles – are retained in Borthwick’s starting line-up.
They are joined in the starting XV by all eight of last Saturday’s replacements, who have been rewarded for their input in critically tilting a tight contest England’s way against Argentina.
The six sub forwards earning promotion are Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Curtis Langdon, Bevan Rodd in the front-row, along with the back-row consisting of Alex Dombrandt, Guy Pepper and Chandler Cunningham-South. With the debut-making Clark also included, it means that second-row Coles is England’s only retained forward.
In the backs, match-winner Van Poortvliet will now start along with winger Cadan Murley following their contribution as subs. Van Poortvliet will partner skipper Ford at half-back, while Murley slots into a back three comprising the debut-making Carpenter and the suspension-free Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
Northmore, the second starting back, retained along with Ford, will combine with rookie Ojomoh in the midfield.
In an RFU statement, Borthwick said: “We know the USA will present a tough challenge. There has been a great spirit in the squad throughout this tour. The players have worked hard for each other and pushed standards every day.
“Those selected this weekend have earned their chance through their effort and attitude. We aim to keep building the squad, learn from every experience, and deliver a performance that our supporters can be proud of.”
England team to face the USA
England: 15 Joe Carpenter, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Luke Northmore, 12 Max Ojomoh, 11 Cadan Murley, 10 George Ford (c), 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Alex Dombrandt, 7 Guy Pepper, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 5 Arthur Clark, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 2 Curtis Langdon, 1 Bevan Rodd
Replacements: 16 Gabriel Oghre, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Ted Hill, 20 Ben Curry, 21 Harry Randall, 22 Charlie Atkinson, 23 Oscar Beard
Date: Saturday, July 19
Venue: Audi Field, Washington DC
Kick-off: 15:00 local (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT)
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
Assistant referees: Morné Ferreira (SARU), Robin Kaluzniak (RC)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
