England Recalls Furbank and Curry for Japan Encounter

George Furbank and Tom Curry represent the two alterations in England’s starting XV chosen to face Japan. The Autumn Nations Series fixture between England and Japan is scheduled for Sunday, 24 November, at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, with a kick-off time of 16:10 GMT. Coverage will be available via live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, and live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. Tom Curry and Sam Underhill, known as the “Kamikaze Kids” by Eddie Jones, are set to start together in England’s back row for Sunday’s match against the Japan team led by Jones. Curry returns to the squad following a concussion, taking the blind-side flank position from Chandler Cunningham-South, who moves to the bench. The other change from the starting XV that was defeated by South Africa sees full-back George Furbank come in for Freddie Steward. Additionally, Sale’s 20-year-old prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour is anticipated to make his England debut from the bench, while experienced tight-head Dan Cole has been excluded from the 23-man squad. Among the replacements, Fin Smith has been named as the back-up fly-half, replacing George Ford. Steve Borthwick’s side has experienced five consecutive losses, but they are considered strong favourites to halt this losing streak against the Blossoms, who were the last team they defeated in June. Borthwick, who previously worked under Jones before succeeding him as England head coach, stated: “We anticipate a tough challenge from a team that thrives on playing fast and with tempo.” He added: “Japan are a dangerous team so it’s important that we execute our gameplan and maintain focus throughout the full 80 minutes.” Captain Jamie George will again start at hooker and expressed his strong desire for England to conclude their campaign on a high note after an underwhelming autumn period. George told BBC Sport: “I am not sitting here and saying we are absolutely fine and that all I care about is performances because of course we are aware Test rugby is about results.” He continued: “We talk about getting fans off their seats, and that happens if you win. So absolutely that is the most important thing for us.” George further stated: “We have unbelievable trust in the players we have here, and unbelievable trust in the staff we have here, but we have to make sure we are getting better, and look like we are getting better and feel like we are getting better.” He concluded: “I think we have done that in certain areas, but I think there are strides to take in certain areas too.” Japan will be captained by Naoto Saito for the match, marking former England head coach Jones’ return to Allianz Stadium. The scrum-half is the only player in Japan’s starting XV who plays club rugby outside of his native country, serving as backup to France captain Antoine Dupont at Toulouse. Japan secured a 36-20 victory over Uruguay in their last outing but has a record of 10 losses in all previous meetings with England. Borthwick’s side previously overcame Jones’ team 52-17 in their last encounter, which occurred before England’s summer tour of New Zealand. Eddie Jones served as England’s head coach from 2015 to 2022. Jones has maintained a low profile in the build-up to his first game against England at Twickenham since his dismissal by the Rugby Football Union in 2022. George told BBC Sport: “I much prefer it that way.” He added: “My message to everyone is not to listen to the external noise too much.” However, the England captain indicated that the hosts are anticipating unexpected tactics from their former coach. George stated: “We have worked with Eddie long enough, Steve has worked with him for longer than any of us. So we know that something is coming.” He continued: “We know Japan are the sort of team that want to play fast and move the ball and come up with innovation. That is something Eddie is very passionate about.” George concluded: “We can’t predict exactly what he is going to bring, but we have to get our own house in order and get ready and alive for what might be coming.” England’s starting lineup includes: Furbank; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Sleightholme; M Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Martin, T Curry, Underhill, Earl. Replacements for England are: Cowan-Dickie, Baxter, Opoku-Fordjour, Isiekwe, Cunningham-South, Randall, F Smith, Roebuck. Japan’s starting lineup consists of: Matsunaga; Osada, Riley, Fifita, Naikabula; McCurran, Saito; Okabe, Harada, Takeuchi, Waqa, Uluiviti, Shimokawa, Himeno, Makisi. Japan’s replacements are: Lee, Morikawa, Tamefusa, Akiyama, Tatafu, Gunter, Fujiwara, Kajimura.