Tom Curry will start England’s clash with Japan at Allianz Stadium on Sunday just two weeks after he was knocked out against Australia.
Curry’s selection at blindside flanker is one of two changes to the side defeated 29-20 by South Africa last Saturday, with George Furbank’s return at full-back completing the adjustments.
Only a fortnight ago Curry sustained his second concussion of the season and fifth in two years, but he is preferred ahead of Chandler Cunningham-South who drops to the bench.
The all-action Sale flanker, famed for his fearless playing style, was knocked unconscious against the Wallabies when he was struck by the knee of Rob Valentini while making a tackle.
Furbank’s promotion comes at the cost of Freddie Steward, who was recalled against South Africa on the strength of his aerial game but has now been dropped from the 23 altogether.
Japan’s high-tempo playing style is designed to stress defences with the ball in hand, placing less of a premium on Steward’s ability in the air.
Head coach Steve Borthwick will be hoping to see more from Furbank, who will act as a second playmaker to Marcus Smith, following his quiet performances against New Zealand and the Wallabies.
Asher Opoku-Fordjour is poised to make his Test debut off the bench despite only being called into the training squad when Joe Marler announced his Test retirement in the build-up to the opener against New Zealand.
Opoku-Fordjour, a member of the England Under-20 team that won the junior world cup during the summer, will provide cover at tighthead prop. It means that Test centurion Dan Cole loses his place on the bench.
George Ford is also missing among the replacements, with Fin Smith preferred as fly-half cover for Smith in his first appearance of the autumn.
England are aiming to end a five-Test losing run, their worst sequence of results since 2018 when Eddie Jones – now in charge of Japan – was still in charge.
“We anticipate a tough challenge from a team that thrives on playing fast and with tempo,” Borthwick said.
“Japan are a dangerous team so it’s important that we execute our game plan and maintain focus throughout the full 80 minutes.”
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 22, 2024
England team to play Japan
Forwards: 1 Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), 2 Jamie George (Saracens), 3 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), 4 Maro Itoje (Saracens), 5 George Martin (Leicester Tigers), 6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), 7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), 8 Ben Earl (Saracens)
Backs: 9 Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers), 10 Marcus Smith (Harlequins), 11 Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints), 12 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), 13 Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby), 14 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), 15 George Furbank (Northampton Saints)
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), 17 Fin Baxter (Harlequins), 18 Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), 19 Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), 20 Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), 21 Harry Randall (Bristol Bears), 22 Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), 23 Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks)