Scrum-half Archie McParland is set to make his senior England debut this weekend, as he is one of the four Northampton Saints named in the matchday 23 to face Japan on Saturday (14 November, kick-off: 4.40pm GMT).
The 21-year-old is named amongst a six-two split England bench and is joined there by club-mate Emmanuel Iyogun, who is set to earn a second cap for his country as loosehead prop replacement, whilst Alex Coles and Henry Pollock both feature in the back row among head coach Steve Borthwick’s starting XV.
“Japan are a very well-coached side who will challenge us in different ways, and we know we’ll need to bring intensity throughout the game,” said Borthwick.
“The atmosphere at Allianz Stadium last week was incredible. The players really fed off the energy in the stadium, and we’re really looking forward to being back on Saturday.”
On McParland’s potential debut, Borthwick added: “We’re all delighted for Archie. He's had some bad luck with injury, so it’s especially pleasing to be able to name him in an England matchday 23 for the first time.
“He’s an outstanding young talent who has worked hard to get to this point, and we’re all excited to see how he goes.”
Following the Japan fixture, England take on New Zealand at Allianz Stadium in Round 6 before Finals Weekend from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November.
All of England’s Nations Championship fixtures will be broadcast live and exclusively on ITV1.
England squad to face Japan
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 44 caps)
14. Will Joseph (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 78 caps)
12. Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)
11. Cadan Murley (Harlequins, 7 caps)
10. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 108 caps) – vice-captain
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 28 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 84 caps) – vice-captain
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 62 caps)
3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, 8 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 103 caps) – captain
5. George Martin (Saracens, 25 caps)
6. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 23 caps)
7. Ben Earl (Saracens, 55 caps)
8. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)
Replacements:
16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 20 caps)
17. Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
18. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 26 caps)
19. Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
20. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 15 caps)
21. Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap)
22. Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 54 caps)