Saffa to start as part of England shake-up

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SA-born lock David Ribbans will make his Test debut in a much-changed England starting XV for the clash against Japan at Twickenham on Saturday.

Ribbans, who was schooled at Somerset College and played for Western Province in 2015 and 2016, replaces Northampton teammate Alex Coles in the run-on side for the Roses.

He was an unused substitute in the shock defeat by Argentina in London on Sunday.

Meanwhile, England coach Eddie Jones has dropped senior players Billy Vunipola, Manu Tuilagi and Ben Youngs to the bench.

Sam Simmonds replaces Vunipola at No 8, with Guy Porter taking over from Tuilagi at outside centre.

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Jack van Poortvliet, who scored a try after coming off the bench in place of Youngs against Los Pumas, starts at scrumhalf for the visit from the Brave Blossoms.

Jones has made a total of five changes to his starting lineup for England’s second match of a November Test season that, as with the Argentina fixture, pits his troops against one of their pool opponents at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Jonny May has overcome an elbow problem to replace Joe Cokanasiga, even though his fellow winger scored England’s opening try against Argentina.

Jamie George has recovered from a foot injury to provide cover for starting hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie.

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“We’ve worked hard this week to improve on last week’s performance,” said Jones.”We’ve taken a good look at our preparation and we are happy with our position going into the game.

“We’ve made a few changes to the side as we play these four games in November. In particular with Manu we are balancing his workload.”

Jones, Japan’s coach when they defeated the Springboks in a stunning upset during the 2015 World Cup in England, added: “Japan are a very good and intriguing side.

“They play a unique type of rugby based on continuity and team cohesion and we’ll have to be at our best against them at Twickenham on Saturday.”

England – 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Guy Porter, 12 Owen Farrell (c), 11 Jonny May, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Maro Itoje; 5 Jonny Hill, 4 David Ribbans, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge.
Subs: 16 Jamie George, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Manu Tuilagi.

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

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Devin Hermanus