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Pollock starts as England change ten

Steve Borthwick has made 10 changes to England's team for Saturday's Nations Championship Test against Japan, with Henry Pollock starting at number eight. The squad is seeking World Cup spots while responding to Eddie Jones' distraction claim.

Image from Illustration: England make 10 changes and dismiss Jones' mind gamesIllustration

The story so far

On 12 November, Steve Borthwick was set to make 10 changes for England's Saturday Nations Championship Test against Japan. Henry Pollock will make only his second England start at number eight. Max Ojomoh starts at inside centre, Will Joseph comes in on the right wing, and George Ford is picked at fly-half ahead of Marcus Smith. Northampton scrum-half Archie McParland is in line to make his Test debut off the bench.

The next day, England responded to Eddie Jones' claim that the team may be distracted by New Zealand's visit. Scrum coach Tom Harrison said the players understand the importance of Saturday's match. Borthwick's 10 changes included Cadan Murley's first start at Twickenham, along with selections for Ojomoh and Pollock, as players seek World Cup spots.

Latest updates

2 updates · newest first
  1. 13 Nov
    New development

    England make 10 changes and dismiss Jones' mind games

    England hit back at Eddie Jones' claim that they may be distracted by New Zealand's visit, with scrum coach Tom Harrison saying the team understands the importance of Saturday's match. Steve Borthwick made 10 changes, including Cadan Murley's first start at Twickenham and selections for Max Ojomoh and Henry Pollock, as players seek World Cup spots.

    Sky Sports ↗The Guardian ↗
  2. 12 Nov
    New development

    Pollock starts at No 8 as England make 10 changes for Japan

    Henry Pollock will make only his second England start at number eight as Steve Borthwick makes 10 changes for Saturday's Nations Championship Test against Japan. Max Ojomoh starts at inside centre and Will Joseph comes in on the right wing, while George Ford is picked at fly-half ahead of Marcus Smith. Northampton scrum-half Archie McParland is in line to make his Test debut off the bench.

    Sky Sports ↗BBC Sport ↗

Key facts

Steve Borthwick made 10 changes for England's Saturday Nations Championship Test against Japan.Reported by Sky Sports, BBC Sport and The Guardian
Henry Pollock will make only his second England start at number eight.Reported by Sky Sports and BBC Sport
Max Ojomoh starts at inside centre and Will Joseph comes in on the right wing.Reported by Sky Sports and BBC Sport
George Ford is picked at fly-half ahead of Marcus Smith.Reported by Sky Sports and BBC Sport
Cadan Murley gets his first start at Twickenham in Borthwick's 10 changes.Reported by Sky Sports and The Guardian
Archie McParland is in line to make his Test debut off the bench.Reported by Sky Sports and BBC Sport

What’s still unknown

Whether players will secure World Cup spots
Whether Archie McParland will make his Test debut
Whether New Zealand's visit will distract England

All sources

4 articles
Sky SportsEngland respond to Jones' mind games ahead of Japan match ↗ The GuardianOjomoh and Pollock get their shot as England’s World Cup hopefuls aim to crush Japan ↗ Sky SportsPollock starts as England ring changes for Japan clash ↗ BBC SportPollock starts alongside Ojomoh and Joseph in bold England side ↗

In the daily editions

England make 10 changes and dismiss Jones' mind gamesSports · 13 Nov → Pollock starts at No 8 as England make 10 changes for JapanSports · 12 Nov →

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