England name unchanged side for Rugby World Cup opener

England have named an unchanged side for their opening Rugby World Cup fixture against Fiji.

Stuart Lancaster has opted to retain the faith in the group of players that claimed a 21-13 win over Ireland in the final warm-up match ahead of the showpiece event.

That means Courtney Lawes will run out at Twickenham on Friday evening as part of the second row, with Joe Launchbury having to settle for a place on the bench.

Geoff Parling has been given the nod to partner Lawes, while Ben Morgan starts at No.8 for the curtain-raising clash.

Elsewhere, rugby league convert Sam Burgess will also form part of the eight-man bench, with Rob Webber replacing Jamie George among the back-ups in the only alteration from last time out.

England face fixtures against Fiji, Wales, Australia and Uruguay in a tough-looking Pool A.

England XV: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Tom Youngs, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Geoff Parling, 6 Tom Wood, 7 Chris Robshaw, 8 Ben Morgan

Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kieran Brooks, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Sam Burgess