Tokyo (AFP)
George Ford at the opening, Owen Farrell and Manu Tuilagi at the center, a third line Underhill-Vunipola-Curry: England has chosen to start the Rugby World Cup with his team-type Sunday (12:15 French) against Tonga in Sapporo.
"Now it's about applying a game project to Tonga and it's important to have tactical accuracy." We are told to believe Eddie Jones, the coach of the XV of the Rose who named his best men against one of the two teams (with the United States) theoretically weaker group C, nicknamed the "group of death" with France and Argentina.
With two exceptions, it was the starting XV that sent a strong signal to the competition by humiliating Ireland (57-15) in August in Twickenham. Only winger Joe Cokanasiga, spoiled, and second row George Kruis, on the bench, lost their place in favor of Anthony Watson and Courtney Lawes.
As in most games under Eddie Jones, captain Farrell will take on a second-opener role at first center, leaving the N.10 to Ford. He can count on Tuilagi's power to set and open the opposing defense. Elliot Daly, Jonny May and Watson will form a formidable rear triangle.
The pack promises to be just as complicated to maneuver with the ubiquitous Maro Itoje on the second line.
Starting lineup: Daly - A. Watson, Tuilagi, O. Farrell (cap.), May - (o) Ford, (m) B. Youngs - Underhill, B. Vunipola, Curry - Itoje, Lawes - Sinckler, George, Marler
Alternates: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Cole, Kruis, Ludlam, Heinz, Slade, Jon. Joseph
© 2019 AFP