England team to face Japan at Twickenham

Joe Cokanasiga in training with England

Joe Cokanasiga will make his England debut as one of 11 changes in personnel made for Saturday's Test against Japan at Twickenham.

The giant Fijian-born wing, who turned 21 today, has been in destructive form for Bath this season and is rewarded with his first cap in a team that is captained by George Ford.

Only full-back Elliot Daly starts the penultimate Quilter International in the same jersey, with wing Chris Ashton, lock Maro Itoje and flanker Mark Wilson surviving but switching positions.

A new-look centre pairing of Jack Nowell and Alex Lozowski plays outside Ford and his half-back partner Danny Care.

Dylan Hartley and Owen Farrell, co-captains for the first two games of the autumn against South Africa and New Zealand, are present on the bench.

Hartley is replaced by British and Irish Lion Jamie George at hooker as part of an all-new front row also featuring Exeter duo Alec Hepburn and Harry Williams.

Charlie Ewels joins Itoje in the second row, Courtney Lawes is drafted in at blindside flanker and Zach Mercer wins his second cap at number eight, with Wilson switching to openside.

Jones has made the changes with the four-day turnaround between group games against Tonga and the United States at next year's World Cup in mind.

"This weekend is a good opportunity for us to test the depth of the squad," Jones said.

"A number of players have changed their roles going from finishers to starters and starters to finishers so that is the essential change to the squad.

"It is exciting to be able to give starting opportunities to Zach Mercer and Joe Cokanasiga and young Ted Hill on the bench."

It is only the second Test between England and Japan after their meeting at the 1987 World Cup, which was won 60-7 by the Red Rose.

"Japan is an important game for us as we want to get back to winning ways. We have also tested ourselves in having a shorter preparation," Jones said.

"We gave the players two days off after three weeks of intensive work. We have had a short preparation but a good preparation.

"We are expecting plenty of energy, aggression and fast ball movement from Japan.

"They will be full of surprises, quick taps, line-outs and plays. They are going to have a bag of magic."



England team to play Japan

Forwards: 1 Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), 2 Jamie George (Saracens), 3 Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), 4 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), 5 Maro Itoje (Saracens), 6 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), 7 Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons), 8 Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby)

Backs: 9 Danny Care (Harlequins), 10 George Ford (Captain, Leicester Tigers), 11 Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), 12 Alex Lozowski (Saracens), 13 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), 14 Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby)*, 15 Elliot Daly (Wasps)

Replacements: 16 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), 17 Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), 18 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), 19 Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors)*, 20 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), 21 Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), 22 Owen Farrell (Saracens), 23 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)

*Denotes uncapped player

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