2019 Rugby World Cup

England Makes 10 Changes In Lineup For USA

England Makes 10 Changes In Lineup For USA

England Names Lineup To Face USA

Sep 24, 2019 by Alex Goff
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England head coach Eddie Jones has named his lineup to face the USA on Thursday in what is England's second 2019 Rugby World Cup game.

Jones has made 10 changes, retaining only Joe Marler, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola, George Ford, and Elliot Daly as starters. Regular captain Owen Farrell is on the bench, and so Ford will lead the team against the Eagles.

Dan Cole will get his 91st cap for England, tying Jonny Wilkinson for third all-time among England players. Should he come off the bench, Ben Youngs will also earn his 91st cap.

"It really is a great achievement," said prop Joe Marler of his fellow prop's 91st cap. "Dan has worked a huge amount to come back from getting dropped out of the squad, worked on his game, played some of his best rugby in the Premiership that I have seen for a while and we are starting to see that in an England shirt.

"With 91 caps to his name, he has the hunger of a 19-year-old."

Sevens impresario Ruaridh McConnochie gets just his second cap for England as he starts on the wing.

(Eddie Jones shares a laugh after the England-Tonga game)


This is the first time England have made such a dramatic change in the team's lineup in a World Cup since 2003, and, of course, in 2003 they went on to lift the Webb Ellis trophy.

Starting on the other wing is young sensation Joe Cokanasiga.

"I am really excited, and it has been such a long build-up and I cannot wait," enthused the Fijian-born winger. "Everyone has their skills that make them shine and it is a case of making sure everything gels together and for me to get involved as much as I can. I have matured over the last two years and I gave myself a kick and told myself what I had to do to develop into that type of player."

Cokanasiga has a cousin, Waisea Nayacalevu, playing for Fiji, and the family back in Fiji has been sending messages back and forth. Now he gets to take the field in front of family.

"My mum is flying out tomorrow and gets here on Wednesday, and my sister and girlfriend arrive next week. They are all pretty much more excited than I am. I have relatives in Tokyo who can look after mum."

England Lineup To Face USA

1. Joe Marler
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie
3. Dan Cole
4. Joe Launchbury
5. George Kruis
6. Tom Curry
7. Lewis Ludlam
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Willi Heinz
10. George Ford (capt.)
11. Joe Cokanasiga
12. Piers Francis
13. Jonathan Joseph
14. Ruaridh McConnochie
15. Elliot Daly

Reserves
16. Jack Singleton
17. Ellis Genge
18. Kyle Sinckler
19. Courtney Lawes
20. Mark Wilson
21. Ben Youngs
22. Owen Farrell
23. Anthony Watson