Starting XV and replacements as Steve Borthwick names Rugby World Cup 2023 line-up
There is space for both Owen Farrell and George Ford among Steve Borthwick’s starters in England‘s final Rugby World Cup Pool D match against Samoa, with 14 changes made to the side that beat Chile in Lille on 23 September.
The playmaking fly-half duo start together for the first time since the 2021 Six Nations as Borthwick looks to revive the creative axis that has excelled in the past.
With three wins from three and unable to be caught by the rest of their group, England’s position in next week’s quarter-finals as pool winners is already secure regardless of their result on Saturday afternoon.
Farrell, who needs just two more points to overtake Jonny Wilkinson’s mark of 1,179 and become England’s highest scorer of all time, is the only player to keep his berth in the XV from the Chile game.
However, the skipper shifts to inside centre against Samoa to accommodate Ford at No 10, while Alex Mitchell comes in at scrum-half.
That means the more regular midfield partnership of Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant move to outside centre and right wing respectively, with Henry Arundell missing out despite notching five tries against the Chileans.
Elliott Daly also makes way, with Jonny May taking up the left wing spot and Freddie Steward slotting in at full-back in place of Marcus Smith, who could make another energetic cameo off the bench at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
In the back row, Tom Curry is restored at openside flanker on his return from a two-match ban following an early red card in England’s opening fixture against Argentina, while Ben Earl earns a starting spot at No 8 ahead of Billy Vunipola, who is named among the replacements.
Vice-captain Courtney Lawes returns at blindside, with locks Ollie Chessum and Maro Itoje getting the nod as Borthwick’s second row.
A surprise pick in the front row sees Dan Cole preferred ahead of Kyle Sinckler at tighthead prop, with Ellis Genge at loosehead prop and Jamie George back at hooker to complete the XV.
Kick-off for England’s match against Samoa is scheduled for 4.45pm BST on Saturday 7 October.
England team to play Samoa
- 15. Freddie Steward
- 14. Joe Marchant
- 13. Manu Tuilagi
- 12. Owen Farrell – captain
- 11. Jonny May
- 10. George Ford
- 9. Alex Mitchell
- 1. Ellis Genge
- 2. Jamie George
- 3. Dan Cole
- 4. Maro Itoje
- 5. Ollie Chessum
- 6. Courtney Lawes – vice-captain
- 7. Tom Curry
- 8. Ben Earl
Replacements
- 16. Theo Dan
- 17. Joe Marler
- 18. Kyle Sinckler
- 19. George Martin
- 20. Billy Vunipola
- 21. Danny Care
- 22. Marcus Smith
- 23. Ollie Lawrence
