England host France in the Autumn Nations Cup playoff final at Twickenham on Sunday (2pm kick-off). Anthony Watson is the only change to the starting XV as he replaces Jonathan Joseph. Les Bleus head into the game without 25 of their best players due to a rotation agreement with the Top 14
Friday 4 December 2020 11:41, UK
England head coach Eddie Jones has made one change to his XV to face France in the Autumn Nations Cup final at Twickenham on Sunday, as Bath's Anthony Watson comes in onto the right wing.
Watson replaces club team-mate Jonathan Joseph in the starting side, after the latter was ruled out due to a calf injury sustained against Wales last time out.
England are otherwise unchanged as Elliot Daly and Jonny May join Watson in the back-three - the same unit which saw them reach the World Cup final in Japan last year - skipper Owen Farrell remains at inside-centre, Exeter's Henry Slade at outside-centre, while George Ford and Ben Youngs are the half-backs again.
In the forwards, Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler form the front-row, Maro Itoje and Joe Launchbury the second row, and Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Billy Vunipola form a tried and tested back-row.
The replacements are re-shaped from a six-two split of forwards to backs, back to a conventional five-three as Wasps flanker Jack Willis drops out, and Harlequins back Joe Marchant takes the No 23 slot.
"We're really looking forward to this final, playing France and having another chance to win a trophy this autumn," Jones said on Friday.
"We'd like to congratulate the tournament organisers on putting this on in difficult circumstances.
"Over the past two months the players have put in real effort, worked very hard on and off the pitch and have met the protocols and new ways of working.
"This has been another positive learning week with tough, hard training and we're looking forward to getting on the pitch in front of our fans and playing a good game of rugby."
England: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Owen Farrell (c), 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Joe Launchbury, 6 Tom Curry, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Billy Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Jonny Hill, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Max Malins, 23 Joe Marchant.
