England boss Steve Borthwick has named his team to face Fiji in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup, standing by his captain Owen Farrell and switching him to fly-half and dropping George Ford despite his impressive displays in France while Farrell was absent through injury. Many will feel that Borthwick has taken a huge gamble in the knock-outs, as Freddie Steward will also start the match on the bench.
Stewart has started 29 of the previous England Tests but with Ford out of the team, Borthwick clearly wants another playmaker to face Fiji and Marcus Smith has been handed another opportunity to impress from the start at full-back.
“The knockout stages of any Rugby World Cup are always full of excitement and keen anticipation for our supporters both at home and here in France,” Borthwick said.
“This will be no different. The players cannot wait. Everyone knows just what an unpredictably dangerous opposition Fiji can be. However, we have shown in the group stages how we can win games, and we will be calling on that experience and determination to ensure we carry on our journey.
“We are very much looking forward to returning to the special atmosphere of the Stade de Marseille, where we started our campaign. It is right that I say it again, our supporters contributed to a very special night on that occasion, and I have no doubt it will be another memorable evening this Sunday.”
England XV to face Fiji: 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Jamie George, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Ollie Chessum, 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Ben Earl, 9. Alex Mitchell, 10. Owen Farrell, 11. Elliot Daly, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 13. Joe Marchant, 14. Jonny May, 15. Marcus Smith.
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