RWC19: England name six Sarries to face Tonga

Owen Farrell will captain England in their opening World Cup encounter against Tonga on Sunday.

The Saracens fly-half has been selected at inside centre by head coach Eddie Jones and is in the match day 23 alongside five other Sarries.

Hooker Jamie George and lock Maro Itoje earn their first starts at the international tournament, as does summer signing Elliot Daly who lines up at full-back.

England face Tonga on Sunday at 11H15 GMT. Jones' side will also meet USA, Argentina and France in their Pool.

After starting all four of the warm-up matches, Billy Vunipola continues in the same vain against the country of his heritage while George Kruis is among the replacements.

Jones said: “The focus this week has been about getting right for Tonga.  We have had a good seven days in Japan where we have acclimatised really well, our sleep patterns are good and the physical conditioning of the players is outstanding. We have been able to add a bit more on our team togetherness and cohesion too.

“Now it is about putting in a game plan against Tonga and it is important to be tactically right. We know they are going to be ferocious and full of pride and passion. They are a side if they get a bit of momentum they can be very dangerous and are well-coached by Toutai Kefu. They have a great World Cup record and we will need to be at our best on Sunday.

“I don’t think there is anyone who isn’t excited about getting out there on Sunday and there is a good feeling around the place. We are delighted to be up here in Sapporo and to play at the stadium will be a unique experience for us and something the team is looking forward to.”

England starting XV
15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 33 caps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 36 caps)
13 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 35 caps)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 73 caps) C
11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 47 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 59 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 89 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 62 caps)
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 40 caps)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 25 caps)
4 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 75 caps)
5 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 29 caps)
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 13 caps)
7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 45 caps)

Finishers
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 15 caps)
17 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 12 caps )
18 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 89 caps)
19 George Kruis (Saracens, 35 caps)
20 Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
21 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 4 caps)
22 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps)
23 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 42 caps)

Fifteen players are representing Saracens at the World Cup. You can represent Sarries too with a new 2019/20 home shirt - purchase yours HERE!