Owen Farrell returns to lead England when they clash with Argentina in Saturday’s vital Pool C encounter at Tokyo Stadium.
England are currently top of Pool C – after picking up two bonus-point victories over Tonga and the USA – with two tough challenges awaiting Eddie Jones’ side when they face Argentina and Six Nations rivals France over consecutive weekends.
Jones has made nine changes to his starting lineup from the team that ran out against the USA a week ago.
Hooker Jamie George is restored to the front row between Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler, while Maro Itoje partners George Kruis in the second row.
England’s starting back row of Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Billy Vunipola are the youngest trio to start for England since the game turned professional, averaging under 24 years.
Scrumhalf Ben Youngs is set to earn his 92nd Test cap moving ahead of Jonny Wilkinson into third on England’s all-time list. Farrell will partner Manu Tuilagi in the midfield with George Ford keeping his place at flyhalf.
Veteran prop Dan Cole will join Youngs on 92 caps, should he come off the bench. The returning Mako Vunipola and Jack Nowell are also among the replacements after overcoming injuries which have kept them out of the tournament thus far.
England – 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Owen Farrell (c), 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Tom Curry, 5 George Kruis, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Joe Marler.
Subs: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Jack Nowell.
Picture: BackpagePix
