Chiefs trio to start for England against Uruguay
Stuart Lancaster has reshuffled his match-day squad for England’s fourth and final Pool A clash against Uruguay on Saturday in Manchester (kick-off 8pm, live on ITV), handing maiden Rugby World Cup starts to four players.
Exeter Chiefs duo Henry Slade and Jack Nowell feature at outside centre and wing respectively, while scrum half Danny Care and full back Alex Goode also get their first taste of tournament action at Manchester City Stadium.
In the pack, Mako Vunipola starts in place of Joe Marler at loosehead prop, with James Haskell and Nick Easter replacing Tom Wood and Ben Morgan in the back row.
Elsewhere, Owen Farrell takes over from injured Saracens clubmate Brad Barritt in the number 12 jersey as George Ford returns to fly half.
England Head Coach Lancaster said: “Brad Barritt (arm) and Courtney Lawes (knee) are not available this weekend and Ben Morgan (dead leg) and Ben Youngs (ankle) will not be able to train fully until Thursday.
“This is an opportunity for us to finish the tournament with a strong performance against Uruguay and a chance for the likes of young players such as Jack Nowell and Henry Slade to play in a World Cup.
“We owe it to ourselves and the supporters who have been brilliant throughout.
“This is an important game for rugby in the north of England and we want to give those people who have been looking forward to this game something to cheer about.”
England side to face Uruguay on 10 October
15. Alex Goode (Saracens, 18 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 14 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 34 caps)
11. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 9 caps)
10. George Ford (Bath Rugby, 16 caps)
9. Danny Care (Harlequins, 52 caps)
1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 26 caps)
2. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 27 caps)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 55 caps)
4. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 27 caps)
5. Geoff Parling (Exeter Chiefs, 28 caps)
6. James Haskell (Wasps, 61 caps)
7. Chris Robshaw (captain, Harlequins, 42 caps)
8. Nick Easter (Harlequins, 53 caps)
Replacements
16. Jamie George (Saracens, 2 caps)
17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 36 caps)
18. David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 43 caps)
19. George Kruis (Saracens, 9 caps)
20. Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 41 caps)
21. Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 26 caps)
22. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 15 caps)
23. Mike Brown (Harlequins, 42 caps)
