Lancaster names unchanged England team for opening RWC match

Lancaster

LONDON – England Coach Stuart Lancaster has named his 23-man side to take on Fiji in the opening game of the 2015 Rugby World Cup on Friday night.

England will be looking to explode from the blocks with Lancaster predictably naming the exact same side that steamrolled Ireland at Twickenham 10 days ago. It is also likely to be Lancaster’s strongest XV however no.8 Ben Morgan could be swapped with fit-and-fired up Billy Vunipola further into the tournament

Ben Youngs, who earnt his debut in 2010, will earn his 50th cap for England against the Pacific Islanders who will be licking their lips at the prospect of a monumental upset against the host Nation.

Mike Brown will take his place at the back with Lancaster hopeful he can continue his fine form. And he will be flanked once again by Jonny May who had a cracker against Ireland as well as Anthony Watson who continues to impress. Sam Burgess will start from the bench as Lancaster will look to use him as an impact player as the Fijian players tire.

England team to play Fiji at Twickenham

1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 33 caps)
2. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 24 caps)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 52 caps)
4. Geoff Parling (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps)
5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 40 caps)
6. Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 38 caps)
7. Chris Robshaw (captain, Harlequins, 39 caps)
8. Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, 29 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 49 caps)
10. George Ford (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 16 caps)
12. Brad Barritt (Saracens, 23 caps)
13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
15. Mike Brown (Harlequins, 39 caps)

Replacements

16. Rob Webber (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 23 caps)
18. Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints, 12 caps)
19. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 24 caps)
20. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 19 caps)
21. Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 23 caps)
22. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 31 caps)
23. Sam Burgess (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)


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