Saracens second-row star Maro Itoje starting in the back-row has been branded as a ‘joke’ and a ‘lack of respect for rugby’.
The 28-year-old, who was critiqued for the lack of impact against Argentina last weekend, find himself starting at blindside flanker once again.
Supporters, who have called for Eddie Jones to play his star players in their strongest positions, were clearly not happy with the selection.
“I’ve never seen Itoje be picked in a World XV at 6. 4 yes but never 6 so not just my opinion,” wrote one supporter.
A second commented: “Playing Itoje in the back-row and not playing Jack Willis is a lack of respect. The biggest shame of all the calls.”
“England rugby selection all over the place youngs still in match day 22 itoje at flank coles dropped after 1 game Farrell still in the centre if you didn’t think it you’d think EJ is trying hard to lose totally crazy selection again this team will never start play again,” said a third.
Rugby scribe Bobby Bridge added: “Every ounce of joy gained by England starting van Poortvliet is deleted by Jack Willis’s omission v Japan. What more can we possibly learn from the Curry/Itoje back row combo? I’m bored of myself typing this, I just feel like England are missing out on a one-of-a-kind player.”
When is England vs Japan?
The fixture between England and Japan takes place at Twickenham Stadium in London on Saturday 12 November and kicks off at 3:15pm (GMT).
How can I watch England vs Japan?
The match will not be available on terrestrial television and like the rest of the autumn internationals will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video.
Expected England team to play Japan:
15. Freddie Steward
14. Jack Nowell (VC)
13. Guy Porter
12. Owen Farrell (C)
11. Jonny May
10. Marcus Smith
9. Jack van Poortvliet
1. Ellis Genge (VC)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. David Ribbans
5. Jonny Hill
6. Maro Itoje
7. Tom Curry
8. Sam Simmonds
Finishers
16. Jamie George
17. Mako Vunipola
18. Joe Heyes
19. Alex Coles
20. Billy Vunipola
21. Ben Youngs
22. Henry Slade
23. Manu Tuilagi
Warren Gatland’s England XV to face Japan
Back-three:
- 15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
- 14. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
- 11. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath RFC)
DID YOU KNOW?
- In May 2022 Steward was named as the Rugby Players’ Association Player’s Young player of the year and England men’s player of the season
- In April 2017, Nowell was called up for the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, becoming the first player to be selected from Exeter Chiefs by the Lions
- Cokanasiga was born in Fiji but before his third birthday, moved to England with his father, Ilaitia, who was in the British Army
Centres:
- 13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
- 12. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks)
DID YOU KNOW?
- He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team, Manu Samoa, because his brother Freddie was selected for Samoa at the World Cup in 1991, the year Manu was born