England make three changes to side that beat Argentina as props Kyle Sinckler and Joe Marler come in at the front row while Lewis Ludlam replaces the suspended Tom Curry for Japan Rugby World Cup clash
- Veteran loosehead Marler has been promoted to No. 1 in place of Ellis Genge
- Sinckler has recovered after a difficult summer full of injuries
- Daly says drop goals could be key to World Cup success after Ford’s heroics
Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler will start against Japan here on Sunday, while Steve Borthwick has made a major selection operation in the front row for England’s second World Cup match in Pool D.
Veteran loosehead Marler has been promoted to the number 1 shirt in place of Ellis Genge, while Sinckler has been reinstated at tighthead after a difficult summer of nagging injuries and set-piece struggles. England scrum coach Tom Harrison spoke last week about urgent remedial work behind the scenes, saying: ‘He (Sinckler) has had some good parts and some areas that needed improvement.
“We’ve been working on some of Kyle’s regular work to ensure his scrum is dominant. That has been a big emphasis since I came into this camp.”
Apparently, Borthwick and his aides are convinced that Sinckler has made enough progress in training to be reinstated to the place he commanded for so long during Eddie Jones’ tenure. The 30-year-old Bristol prop has the chance to show he deserves to be restored to the top of the pecking order after Dan Cole’s impressive performance in the opening win against Argentina in Marseille last weekend.
In Marler’s case, this starting gig is a reward for his selfless efforts since returning to the Red Rose camp. The 33-year-old Harlequin was recalled by Borthwick after a period out of favour, having met the new head coach to gauge whether he was really in contention for a place in the England squad for this World Cup. Not only has Marler made it, he now has a spell in the XV after patiently biding his time as understudy to vice-captain Ellis Genge.
Steve Borthwick has named his starting XV to play Japan at the Stade de Nice on Sunday evening
Joe Marler (right) is included as a reward for his selfless efforts since returning to camp
Lewis Ludlam (pictured) will fill the shoes of Tom Curry, who received a two-match suspension against Argentina
Elsewhere, as expected, Northampton captain Lewis Ludlam has been picked to start at number 8 after making 12 tackles in just 15 minutes on the pitch as a substitute against the Pumas last Saturday. The dynamic 27-year-old Saint will command the base of the scrum, with Ben Earl shifting to the openside in the absence of the banned Tom Curry.
With England looking to find some fluidity in attack after their opening win, which was based on spirit, unity, defensive tenacity and clever kicking, Borthwick have retained the same back line as against Argentina.
This time he will be hoping the national team can remain at full strength, allowing the likes of Jonny May, Elliot Daly and Joe Marchant to move into space, while Manu Tuilagi provides a strong outlet in midfield. for No. 10 George Ford.
Billy Vunipola is among the reserve players on the bench after serving a two-match ban for a high tackle against Ireland last month. Although he will have been desperate to return straight to the starting line-up, Borthwick and his assistants have apparently decided that they need maximum mobility to combat opponents who like to move the ball at pace, before sending in the number 8 to add extra carrying capacity to add. strength against a tiring defense.
England will certainly not lack game-changing credentials among their replacements, with Theo Dan, Genge, younger Vunipola brother, Marcus Smith and Ollie Lawrence among those set to wreak havoc later in the match.
Billy Vunipola (right) makes the bench after returning from a two-match suspension for a high tackle against Ireland last month