Lawes replaces Farrell as England captain against Springboks
LONDON (AP) — Courtney Lawes will captain England for the second time in its rugby test against South Africa, the countries’ first meeting since the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
Lawes takes over from Owen Farrell, who hurt an ankle in England’s 32-15 win over Australia last weekend, and will look to lead the team to a clean sweep in the autumn tests after starting by beating Tonga 69-3.
England will go into Saturday’s match against a feared South African pack with a depleted front row, with hooker Jamie George another absentee after injuring a knee against Australia.
With prop Joe Marler leaving self-isolation only on Friday after his positive test for the coronavirus and therefore confined to a bench role, England coach Eddie Jones handed starts to Bevan Rodd — for his second cap — and Jamie Blamire — who has made only three starts for his club, Newcastle.
Joe Marchant, an outside center, is picked ahead of specialist winger Adam Radwan and Max Malins, who has been in free-scoring form for Saracens.
Marchant was left out of the original squad for the autumn but a campaign-ending knee injury sustained by Anthony Watson offered him a reprieve.
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Manu Tuilagi played out of position on the wing against Australia, but is back in midfield alongside Henry Slade after Farrell’s withdrawal.
South Africa named its team on Tuesday and it contained three changes, with flyhalf Handre Pollard, scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and lock Lood de Jager all returning.
The Springboks are looking for their first win over England at Twickenham since 2014.
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Lineups:
England: Freddie Steward, Joe Marchant, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Jonny May, Marcus Smith, Ben Youngs; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes (captain), Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Kyle Sinckler, Jamie Blamire, Bevan Rodd. Reserves: Nic Dolly, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Charlie Ewels, Alex Dombrandt, Sam Simmonds, Raffi Quirke, Max Malins.
South Africa: Willie le Roux, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach; Duane Vermeulen, Kwagga Smith, Siya Kolisi (captain), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nché. Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Jasper Wiese, Herschel Jantjies, Elton Jantjies, Frans Steyn.
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