Cipriani starts for England v South Africa

Five eighth Danny Cipriani replaces George Ford as one of four changes to the starting line-up for England's third and final Test against South Africa.

Danny Cipriani

Danny Cipriani returns to England's starting 15 after nearly a decade. (AAP)

Five eighth Danny Cipriani will make his first start for England in nearly a decade and there is a return for flanker Chris Robshaw, with coach Eddie Jones shuffling his team for the third and final Test against South Africa.

Cipriani replaces George Ford in the number 10 jersey as one of four changes to the starting line-up announced by Jones on Thursday as England seek to end a run of five straight Test defeats and grab a consolation victory.

Cipriani's last start came in a 42-6 loss to the Springboks at Twickenham in 2008, though he has won 15 caps in all, his most recent off the bench in the 23-12 defeat in Bloemfontein last weekend after an absence of three years from the team.

"We are expecting a wet and windy old day at Newlands and have elected to play Danny Cipriani ahead of George Ford to give us a left-foot kicking option," Jones said.

"We will need to jump out of the blocks quickly again and make sure we maintain that pressure and make good decisions."

Robshaw, previously a stalwart under Jones, is recalled to the blindside flank position after New Zealand-born Brad Shields dropped out of the squad due to illness.

Prop Joe Marler comes into the side in place of Mako Vunipola, who has returned home for family reasons, while Nathan Hughes takes over at number eight from Billy Vunipola, who re-fractured his arm in last weekend's loss in Bloemfontein.

Uncapped lock Jonny Hill has been included among the replacements.

Team: Elliot Daly, Jonny May, Henry Slade, Owen Farrell (capt), Mike Brown, Danny Cipriani, Ben Youngs, Nathan Hughes, Tom Curry, Chris Robshaw, Maro Itoje, Joe Launchbury, Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Alec Hepburn, Harry Williams, Jonny Hill, Mark Wilson, Sam Simmonds, Ben Spencer, Denny Solomona.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world