England ring in four changes for Fiji Test

Eddie Jones has named his side to take on Fiji at Twickenham, with Semesa Rokoduguni to win his second cap as part of a new-look back line.

England Coach Eddie Jones

Eddie Jones wants his England side to adhere to their structures against the free-flowing Fiji side. (AAP)

Semesa Rokoduguni, Alex Goode and Jonathan Joseph return to a new-look back line, with Teimana Harrison in at flanker as England make four changes for the Twickenham rugby Test against Fiji.

Elliot Daly is pressed into action as an emergency winger for Saturday (1.30am on Sunday AEDT) after injury ruled out Marland Yarde and Jonny May, who both started in last week's win over South Africa.

Coach Eddie Jones had delayed naming his team until Friday but would have been relieved Billy Vunipola has come through to start at No.8 and Nathan Hughes is on the bench.

Rokokudini will be winning his second cap after playing 60 minutes against New Zealand two years ago then being dropped by former coach Stuart Lancaster.

Harrison has two caps but his second was an unfortunate one as he was hauled off by Jones before halftime against Australia in June.

But he gets another chance after a succession of injuries to potential back rowers, and will start at No.7.

Joseph returns to the starting team at outside centre with Daly, who took the No.13 shirt against the Springboks, filling in on the left wing.

Goode, last year's player of the season, replaces Mike Brown, who has been sick.

Uncapped lock Charlie Ewels is among the replacements, as is utility back Henry Slade, hoping for his first appearance since the World Cup.

Jones is seeking an 11th successive victory since replacing Lancaster and while he should achieve it relatively comfortably, he has identified "work-ons" for the stiffer tests to come against Argentina and Australia.

"While we were satisfied with last week's result against South Africa there was plenty to improve on," he said in a statement.

"We want a much more complete performance on Saturday - we want to be in total control of the game and tidy up the things we didn't do well enough last weekend."

Team: Alex Goode, Semesa Rokoduguni, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, George Ford, Ben Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Dylan Hartley (capt), Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Chris Robshaw, Teimana Harrison, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Jamie George, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Charlie Ewels, Nathan Hughes, Danny Care, Ben Te'o, Henry Slade


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