In a strategic shuffle for England’s lineup against Fiji, Tommy Freeman will make a switch to the wing, stepping away from his recent role as centre. This adjustment comes as England aims to snap a five-game losing streak in the upcoming Nations Championship clash at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool. Kick-off is scheduled for 14:10, promising an intense showdown. Steve Borthwick, the man at the helm, has also introduced fresh faces on the bench, signaling exciting debuts for three players.
The starting XV sees two changes from the previous game against South Africa. Henry Slade steps in at centre, allowing Freeman to revert to his familiar position on the right wing, a role he has honed at Northampton Saints. The midfield will also feature Seb Atkinson alongside Slade, while the half-back pairing of Jack van Poortvliet and Fin Smith remains unchanged. The backline is rounded off with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the wing and Marcus Smith at No.15, stepping in for the absent George Furbank who is sidelined with appendicitis.
Up front, the leadership core remains robust with Jamie George captaining the side, flanked by vice-captains Ollie Chessum and Ellis Genge. The forward pack retains its cohesion with Alex Coles and George Martin in the second row, Joe Heyes at tighthead, and Ben Earl anchoring the back row at number eight, joined by newcomer Guy Pepper at openside flanker.
On the bench, anticipation builds for George Kloska, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, and Noah Caluori, all set to make their international debuts. Borthwick expressed optimism about the new additions and the team’s preparation.
"We’ve had a really positive week of preparation, and the players have worked hard in training,"
he remarked, highlighting the rigorous build-up to this match."We know Fiji will provide a tough challenge. They are a dangerous side who will demand the very best from us."
Borthwick added, acknowledging the formidable opposition. The match also serves as a precursor to England’s next encounter against Argentina in Santiago del Estero, promising a rigorous test in the Nations Championship’s third round.England team to face Fiji: - Backs: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet - Forwards: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George (c), 3 Joe Heyes, 4 Alex Coles, 5 George Martin, 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Ben Earl - Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 18 George Kloska, 19 Tom Curry, 20 Henry Pollock, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 23 Noah Caluori
The stage is set for a riveting contest in Liverpool, where England seeks to turn the tide of recent performances and ignite their campaign with a victory against the spirited Fijians.