Immanuel Feyi-Waboso makes along awaited return as experienced duo co-captain England XV
England speedster Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and head coach Steve Borthwick.
Steve Borthwick has named his England XV to play a France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso making his return to action as the starting left wing.
The Exeter Chiefs speedster hasn’t played since a pre-Christmas injury to his shoulder away to Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership.
Veteran duo appointed as co-captains
Meanwhile, Borthwick has appointed the veteran duo of George Ford (fly-half) and Jamie George (hooker) as co-captains.
Feyi-Waboso is joined in the back three by Tom Roebuck, who will line up on the right wing, and Joe Carpenter, who gets the nod as the starting full-back.
Meanwhile, Ford forms a half-back combination with experienced scrum-half Ben Spencer while the backline is completed by the midfield partnership of Henry Slade and Seb Atkinson.
Up front, Fin Baxter starts at loosehead prop alongside George, who slots in at hooker, while Joe Heyes completes the front-row as the starting tighthead.
Elsewhere, Alex Coles packs down alongside Nick Isiekwe in the second-row.
The back-row sees Bath stalwart Ted Hill starting on the blindside flank, his club teammate and last weekend’s Premiership Final player of the match Guy Pepper is on the openside, while Tom Willis gets the nod at number eight to complete the pack.
Steve Borthwick copies France and Springboks’ tactic as growing coaching trend continues
Theo Dan, Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison, Chandler Cunningham-South, Jack Kenningham, Alex Dombrandt have been named as the forward replacements in a 6/2 split on the bench with Raffi Quirke and Oscar Beard the backline cover.
“We’re excited to be playing at Allianz Stadium and to test ourselves against a strong French side,” said Borthwick.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing this young team get out there and show what they’re capable of.
“It’s a great opportunity to take another step forward ahead of the summer Tour to Argentina and the US.”
England’s upcoming summer tour includes two Tests in Argentina, followed by a clash with the USA in Washington, D.C. The Red Rose tour squad will be announced on Monday 23 June.
England XV to take on France XV
England XV: 15 Joe Carpenter, 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10 George Ford (cc), 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Guy Pepper, 6 Ted Hill, 5 Nick Isiekwe, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George (cc), 1 Fin Baxter
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Chandler Cunningham-South, 20 Jack Kenningham, 21 Alex Dombrandt, 22 Raffi Quirke, 23 Oscar Beard
Date: Saturday, June 21
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Kick-off: 15:15 BST (14:15 GMT)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Sam Grove-White (SRU), Ben Breakspear (WRU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
