Owen Farrell at fly-half, Marcus Smith on the bench
England's Owen Farrell during the training session at Pennyhill Park, Bagshot. Picture date: Tuesday November 2, 2021.
England open their Autumn Nations Series campaign against Tonga on Saturday at Twickenham Stadium, with Owen Farrell captaining the side from fly-half.
In-form Harlequins playmaker Marcus Smith, who was expected to start at pivot with Farrell at 12, is instead named on the bench.
Manu Tuilagi makes his first appearance for England since March 2020, after coming back from injury, at inside centre, and Henry Slade is at 13.
Good preparation
“We’ve had two good preparation camps in Jersey and Pennyhill Park, worked really hard and we’re ready for a tough, physical game,” said head coach Eddie Jones.
“We respect Tonga greatly and we know that with props like Siegfried Fisi’ihoi and Ben Tameifuna, we are going to have to go in the front door before the back door.
“We’re especially looking forward to getting back out in front of a full crowd at Twickenham and playing some entertaining, exciting rugby for all of the supporters, we can’t wait to have them back.”
Jonny May and Adam Radwan, in his second England appearance, will be on the wings. Freddie Steward is picked at full-back and Ben Youngs is set to earn his 110th cap for England.
Kyle Sinckler joins hooker Jamie George in the front-row, whilst Maro Itoje and Jonny Hill complete the tight five. Sam Underhill will be openside flanker.
Alex Mitchell could make his England debut after being named among the replacements. Elsewhere, Jamie Blamire, Alex Dombrandt and Smith could add to the caps they achieved for the first time this July. Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Charlie Ewels and George Furbank are also on the bench.
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Jonny May, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Tom Curry, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Jamie Blamire, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Alex Dombrandt, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 George Furbank
Date: Saturday, November 6
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick-off: 15:15 GMT
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Adam Jones (Wales), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Smith’s injury forces selection hand
Planet Rugby features writer James While on England's decision to select star Marcus Smith on the bench in their Autumn Nations Series clash with Tonga.