Owen Farrell is set to face Argentina in England’s opening autumn international after he was named in Eddie Jones’ tweaked squad for Sunday’s Test.
Farrell is nearing the end of his head injury return protocol and, assuming he completes the process on Friday, will be available to revive his playmaker axis with fly-half Marcus Smith.
Farrell suffered concussion in Saracens’ win against Exeter on October 22 and was therefore unable to fly to England’s training camp in Jersey last week. However, he has returned to the squad this week and on Wednesday played a significant if not comprehensive role in training. He has cleared all the protocols so far with England preparing to unleash a midfield combination of Smith, Farrell and Manu Tuilagi at the start of a Test for the first time.
If Farrell is declared fit, he would be favorite for the captaincy in the absence of Courtney Lawes. Ellis Genge and Tom Curry are other options.
“He’s just going through the final bits of his return to action but everything has gone to plan so far,” England attack coach Martin Gleeson said. “He’s cleared every step so far, which is almost the end. His partnership with Marcus is a big part of where we want to go as a team and we want to build on that this fall.”
Jonny May has been retained in the squad despite suffering a dislocated elbow less than two weeks ago. Given Jones has only kept 10 backs, May would be part of the 23-man squad if the head coach opts for a conventional 5-3 bench against Argentina, which would mark a miraculous return. However, Gleeson was more cautious about May’s involvement, and Jones could also select six forwards from among his replacements if the Gloucester winger is unavailable.
England have made two personnel changes to their starting XV to face Canada in Saturday’s World Cup semi-final at Eden Park. A fully fit Claudia MacDonald is back on the left wing after missing the last two games while loosehead Hannah Botterman has earned promotion from the bench.
MacDonald, who scored four tries in his side’s opening pool match against Fiji, has recovered from a slight calf strain while the energetic Botterman has edged past Vickii Cornborough to start the 41-5 quarter-final win over Australia.
Head coach Simon Middleton has otherwise resisted the temptation to tinker with a winning team and has kept faith with Helena Rowland and Tatyana Heard at fullback and center respectively. “Continuity is an important factor in team selection,” stressed Middleton, whose side are vying to be crowned world champions for the first time since 2014.
“That said, if you see an opportunity to improve or create different looks that you think can benefit the team’s performance, you have to be brave enough with your choices to make those calls. We’ve done that throughout the competition and that philosophy will not to change.”
Either New Zealand or France will await England in the final if they can overcome the challenge of Canada’s mostly amateur players. “Our goal was to leave this country a better squad than we came in and to do that we have to continue our game again this week,” said Middleton. “If we do that and produce the level of performance we are capable of then we are confident that we will get the right result.”Robert Kitson in Auckland
England team (vs Canada, Saturday): Rowland; Dow, Scarratt, Heard, MacDonald; Harrison, Infante; Botterman, Cokayne, Bern, Aldcroft, Ward, Matthews, Packer, Hunter (capt). Subs: Davies, Cornborough, Muir, Galligan, P Cleall, Packer, Aitchison, Kildune.
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MacDonald back for Red Roses World Cup semi-final with Canada
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England have made two personnel changes to their starting XV to face Canada in Saturday’s World Cup semi-final at Eden Park. A fully fit Claudia MacDonald is back on the left after missing the last two games while loosehead Hannah Botterman has earned promotion from the bench.
MacDonald, who scored four tries in his side’s opening pool match against Fiji, has recovered from a slight calf strain while the energetic Botterman has edged past Vickii Cornborough to start the 41-5 quarter-final win over Australia.
Head coach Simon Middleton has otherwise resisted the temptation to tinker with a winning team and has kept faith with Helena Rowland and Tatyana Heard at fullback and center respectively. “Continuity is an important factor in team selection,” stressed Middleton, whose side are vying to be crowned world champions for the first time since 2014.
“That said, if you see an opportunity to improve or create different looks that you think can benefit the team’s performance, you have to be brave enough with your choices to make those calls. We’ve done that throughout the competition and that philosophy will not to change.”
Either New Zealand or France will await England in the final if they can overcome the challenge of Canada’s mostly amateur players. “Our goal was to leave this country a better squad than we came in and to do that we have to step up our game again this week,” said Middleton. “If we do that and produce the level of performance we are capable of so we are confident that we will get the right result.” Robert Kitson in Auckland
England team (vs Canada, Saturday): Rowland; Dow, Scarratt, Heard, MacDonald; Harrison, Infante; Botterman, Cokayne, Bern, Aldcroft, Ward, Matthews, Packer, Hunter (capt). Subs: Davies, Cornborough, Muir, Galligan, P Cleall, Packer, Aitchison, Kildune.
“[Jonny’s] healing powers are incredible, says Gleeson. “He’s in a good place and is potentially available for this weekend, but we’re not 100% sure yet.”
In a further boost for England, Luke Cowan-Dickie is ready for action despite picking up a knee injury against Saracens. The Exeter player is just one of two Whores, along with Jack Singleton, selected in the 25-man squad. “He took part in the session today and like Owen he’s made progress and ticks all the boxes so far,” Gleeson said. “Looks like he’s still available.”
Among the 15 strikers retained are trio Alex Coles, David Ribbans and Sean Robinson, with Jones having to decide how best to fill the void at the back of Lawes’ absence before naming his side on Friday. Northampton’s Coles is believed to have impressed in training and is pushing for a start, either at lock or at full-back. Jack Willis and Sam Simmonds are also contenders for the back row but may have to settle for a spot on the bench if Jones prefers a blindside flanker more in the mold of Lawes.
With Raffi Quirke among the 11 players returning to their clubs, Ben Youngs and Jack van Poortvliet are set to share scrum-half duties while Jack Nowell and Joe Cokanasiga shape up as starting wingers if May is not deemed fit. Kyle Sinckler is set to make his first England appearance since the Six Nations as one of two tightheads alongside Joe Heyes.
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