England team v Fiji: Tommy Freeman experiment shelved as Benhard Janse van Rensburg one of three set for debut
Tommy Freeman starts on the wing for England against Fiji.
Steve Borthwick has moved Tommy Freeman to the wing as two changes in personnel are made to England’s starting XV for the Nations Championship clash with Fiji.
The game will take place at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool with kick-off at 14:10 as England look to end a run of five straight defeats on the international stage.
The two changes to the starting XV which faced South Africa at Ellis Park in Johannesburg last week see Henry Slade and Guy Pepper named at centre and openside.
Elsewhere, uncapped trio George Kloska (prop), Benhard Janse van Rensburg (centre) and Noah Caluori (wing) are named on the bench as memorable days await.
Freeman shift
The inclusion of Slade means that Freeman vacates his place at number 13 to move over to his club position at Northampton Saints, running out on the right wing.
Slade links up with Seb Atkinson in midfield while it is as you were in the half-backs where Jack van Poortvliet and Fin Smith continue after starts against the Boks.
The backline is completed by Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Marcus Smith, who continue at wing and No.15 respectively, as George Furbank is absent with appendicitis.
Up front, Jamie George will captain the side once again from hooker, with blindside flanker Ollie Chessum and loosehead prop Ellis Genge serving as vice-captains.
Alex Coles and George Martin are retained as the second-row partnership, as is Joe Heyes at tighthead and Ben Earl at number eight, with Pepper named at seven.
“We’ve had a really positive week of preparation, and the players have worked hard in training,” said Borthwick, who picks Henry Pollock on the bench for this match.
“We know Fiji will provide a tough challenge. They are a dangerous side who will demand the very best from us.
“It’s fantastic to be playing at Hill Dickinson Stadium, which is an outstanding venue. There is a real passion for rugby across the north of England, and we’re looking forward to experiencing a brilliant atmosphere in Liverpool.”
Following the match, England will travel to Argentina to face Los Pumas at Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero in Nations Championship, Round 3.
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England team to face Fiji
England: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Guy Pepper, 6 Ollie Chessum, 5 George Martin, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 18 George Kloska, 19 Tom Curry, 20 Henry Pollock, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 23 Noah Caluori
Date: Saturday, 11 July, 2026
Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, England
Kick-off: 14:10 (local), 14:10 (UK), 15:10 (France), 15:10 (South Africa), 23:10 (AEST), 01:10 (12 July, New Zealand), 10:10 (Argentina), 22:10 (JST), 09:10 (EDT)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Eoghan Cross (IRFU), Sam Grove-White (SRU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
FPRO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
Broadcasters: ITV (United Kingdom), TF1 (France), Virgin Media Television (Republic of Ireland), Sky Italia (Italy), Wowow (Japan), Sky Sport (New Zealand), Nine Network / Stan Sport (Australia), SuperSport (South Africa)
