MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 18:22:01| >> :600:305227:305227:
Rugby World Cup | Group Stage
Sep 18, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
England
35-11
Fiji
try (13'), Brown (22', 72'), Vunipola (80')
FT
Nadolo (30')

England name unchanged side for Rugby World Cup opener

Stuart Lancaster sticks with a winning formula by naming an unchanged side for the meeting with Fiji in Friday's opening Rugby World Cup fixture.

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

ID:246135: cacheID:246135:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2951:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
George Kruis of Saracens catches the ball during the Aviva Premiership match between Saracens and Harlequins at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2014
Read Next:
Report: England pick Kruis over Attwood
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!