Courtney Lawes and Alex Mitchell have been named in the starting XV for England ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match against Fiji this weekend.
The Northampton Saints pair retain their places as head coach Steve Borthwick makes two changes from the side that ran out against Samoa a week ago for the last-eight showdown with Fiji at Stade de Marseille (Sunday 15 October, kick-off: 4pm BST, live on ITV Sport).
Marcus Smith comes in at fullback and Elliot Daly returns on the wing, with Joe Marchant moving from wing to outside centre. George Ford is among the replacements and Freddie Steward misses out.
Lawes – who will collect his 104th cap in Lille on Sunday – is named as one of three vice-captains along with Ellis Genge and George Ford.
“The knockout stages of any Rugby World Cup are always full of excitement and keen anticipation for our supporters both at home and here in France. This will be no different. The players cannot wait for this Sunday’s quarter-final against Fiji,” said Borthwick.
“Everyone knows just what an unpredictably dangerous opposition Fiji can be. However, we have shown in the group stages how we can win games, and we will be calling on that experience and determination to ensure we carry on our journey.
“We are very much looking forward to returning to the special atmosphere of the Stade de Marseille, where we started our campaign back in September with a win against Argentina. I have said it before, but it is right that I say it again, our supporters contributed to a very special night on that occasion, and I have no doubt it will be another memorable evening this Sunday.”
ENGLAND v FIJI
Sunday 15 October 2023
Stade de Marseille
Kick-off: 5pm (local time)
15 Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 28 caps)
14 Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 76 caps)
13 Joe Marchant (Stade Francais, 23 caps)
12 Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 56 caps)
11 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 62 caps)
10 Owen Farrell – captain (Saracens, 109 caps)
9 Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
1 Ellis Genge – vice-captain (Bristol Bears, 55 caps)
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 82 caps)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 104 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 73 caps)
5 Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps)
6 Courtney Lawes – vice-captain (Northampton Saints, 103 caps)
7 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 47 caps)
8 Ben Earl (Saracens, 22 caps)
Replacements:
16 Theo Dan (Saracens, 6 caps)
17 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 86 caps)
18 Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 66 caps)
19 George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
20 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 73 caps)
21 Danny Care (Harlequins, 93 caps)
22 George Ford – vice-captain (Sale Sharks, 89 caps)
23 Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 18 caps)
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