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England ring changes to play Japan as Pollock comes in for second Test start

Henry Pollock traditionally plays an impact role for England from the bench but will start on Saturday
Henry Pollock traditionally plays an impact role for England from the bench but will start on SaturdayDAVID ROGERS / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

England coach Steve Borthwick on Thursday made 10 changes to ⁠the side that beat Australia 45-22 last weekend for Saturday's Nations Championship Test against Japan.

Henry Pollock will make only his second start for ‌England after being named at number eight, ‌having won the rest of his 14 caps ‌off the bench, including scoring two tries as ‌a replacement wing on Sunday.

Max Ojomoh was not initially part of England's 36-man squad for this ‌month's matches but, after starring ⁠for England A ‌against an Argentina XV last Friday, is included at ​centre with Seb Atkinson ruled out with a hip injury.

Will Joseph returns for ​his first England appearance since 2022 in place of the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, while Cadan ⁠Murley starts on ​the left wing with Tommy Freeman left out.

George Ford is named at fly-half, with Fin Smith rested and Marcus Smith on the ‌bench for the clash at Twickenham.

Borthwick has also named a fresh starting front row of Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Asher Opoku-Fordjour.

Northampton scrum-half Archie McParland is poised to make his debut off the bench, with Greg Fisilau, Arthur Clark and Emmanuel Iyogun, who all have one cap, alongside him among an inexperienced ‌set of replacements.

England (15-1)

15 Freddie Steward, 14 Will Joseph, 13 Henry ​Slade, 12 Max Ojomoh, 11 Cadan Murley, 10 George Ford, ‌9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Henry Pollock, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Alex Coles, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 3 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge

Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Arthur Clark, 20 Ben ⁠Curry, 21 Greg Fisilau, ⁠22 Archie McParland, 23 Marcus Smith

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