By RugbyFan
September 24 2019

 England have made changes as was expected for the second game of their Rugby World Cup campaign. Head Coach Eddie Jones like all coaches has been dealing with the short turnaround between matches.

Rugby World Cup 2019

Pool C

 England v USA

Venue: Kobe, Japan - Thursday, 26 September - KO 1145 BST

Only five players start from the team that won 35-3 over Tonga will begin against the USA in Kobe on Thursday, with George Ford Captaining the side from fly-half.

England's Joe Cokanasig  All Pictures paimages

There are RWC debuts for wingers Ruaridh McConnochie and Joe Cokanasiga, as well as centre Piers Francis.   Billy Vunipola starts once again at number eight, with prop Dan Cole winning his 91st cap to go joint-third with Jonny Wilkinson on England's all-time list.  Willi Heinz comes in at scrum-half and George Kruis into the second row, with Owen Farrell among the big names on the bench.  Slade did not make the cut, not surprised about this!

Openside flanker Sam Underhill drops out of the squad completely and there is a return for back row Mark Wilson on the bench following his struggle with a knee injury.

 Coach Eddie Jones  said: ‘It is our best 23 and we have looked at some players that would benefit not playing in this game, so have kept them out of the 23.  ‘But it is a great opportunity for another set of players to do the team proud.’ 

"USA are a tough, physical team who are extremely well coached by Gary Gold."There are a number of players who our guys know really well and are a team we respect.  "They have prepared two weeks with the Marines for this game so they will be fit, tough and be playing for the pride of their country." 

England: Elliot Daly; Ruaridh McConnochie, Jonathan Joseph, Piers Francis, Joe Cokanasiga; George Ford, Willi Heinz; Joe Marler, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, George Kruis, Tom Curry, Lewis Ludlam, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Jack Singleton, Ellis Genge, Kyle Sinckler, Courtney Lawes, Mark Wilson, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Anthony Watson.

USA: Will Hooley, Blaine Scully (captain), Marcel Brache, Paul Lasike, Martin Iosefo, AJ MacGinty, Shaun Davies; Cam Dolan, John Quill, Tony Lamborn, Nick Civetta, Ben Landry, Titi Lamositele, Joe Taufete'e, David Ainu'u.

Replacements: Dylan Fawsitt, Olive Kilifi, Paul Mullen, Greg Peterson, Hanco Germishuys, Ruben de Haas, Bryce Campbell, Mike Te'o.