ENGLAND BOSS STEVE Borthwick has made three changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Paris [KO 8pm Irish time, Virgin Media].
As expected, Freddie Steward returns at fullback as Marcus Smith drops out of the matchday 23 having started in the number 15 shirt for the quarter-final win over Fiji last weekend. Borthwick has confirmed that Smith was unavailable for selection due to the Head Injury Assessment [HIA] protocols.
Experienced loosehead prop Joe Marler also comes into the side in place of Ellis Genge, while Borthwick has sprung a surprise in the second row as 22-year-old George Martin is named to start in the second row.
Leicester Tigers lock Martin will win his ninth cap this weekend as Ollie Chessum drops to the bench.
England (v South Africa):
- 15. Freddie Steward
- 14. Jonny May
- 13. Joe Marchant
- 12. Manu Tuilagi
- 11. Elliot Daly
- 10. Owen Farrell (captain)
- 9. Alex Mitchell
- 1. Joe Marler
- 2. Jamie George
- 3. Dan Cole
- 4. Maro Itoje
- 5. George Martin
- 6. Courtney Lawes
- 7. Tom Curry
- 8. Ben Earl
Replacements:
- 16. Theo Dan
- 17. Ellis Genge
- 18. Kyle Sinckler
- 19. Ollie Chessum
- 20. Billy Vunipola
- 21. Danny Care
- 22. George Ford
- 23. Ollie Lawrence
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe [New Zealand].