Newly-qualified centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg and teenage sensation Noah Caluori will make their England debuts off the bench against Fiji.
South African-born Janse van Rensburg became eligible for England on residency this week and is straight into Steve Borthwick’s matchday 23, with Bristol Bears teammate George Kloska a third first-capper among the replacements.
Caluori, 19, topped the try-scoring charts in the Gallagher Prem last season but Borthwick resists the urge to start the youngster at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Tommy Freeman instead shifts to the wing with veteran Henry Slade rewarded for his strong Exeter form with a start in the centres. Guy Pepper is brought in to the starting back row as Tom Curry drops to the bench, and Marcus Smith is again stationed at full-back.
England are seeking to end a five-match losing run after suffering defeat to South Africa at Ellis Park in their Nations Championship opener last week. They haven’t lost six Tests in a row since 2006.
“We’ve had a really positive week of preparation, and the players have worked hard in training,” said Borthwick. “We know Fiji will provide a tough challenge. They are a dangerous side who will demand the very best from us.”
Fiji were beaten by Wales in Cardiff in their first July Test, and are hosting all of their “home” games in this competition in the United Kingdom.
“It's fantastic to be playing at Hill Dickinson Stadium, which is an outstanding venue,” Borthwick said. “There is a real passion for rugby across the north of England, and we're looking forward to experiencing a brilliant atmosphere in Liverpool.”
England XV to face Fiji in Liverpool (Saturday 11 July, 2.10pm BST): 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George (capt.), 3 Joe Heyes; 4 Alex Coles, 5 George Martin; 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 10 Fin Smith; 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 12 Seb Atkinson, 13 Henry Slade, 14 Tommy Freeman; 15 Marcus Smith.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 18 George Kloska, 19 Tom Curry, 20 Henry Pollock; 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 23 Noah Caluori.
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