By RugbyFan
October 13 2023

My question is why change a winning formula but here we go again Ford(who has been excellent) is sidelined again for Farrel.  It is just a joke!   Consolation prize for For he is one of Three Vice Captains.  Fiji are an excellent team and I think Borthwick is underestimating them.  But we shall see.   Borthwick says  "However, we have shown in the group stages how we can win games, and we will be calling on that experience and determination to ensure we carry on our journey."   So why is he not calling on Ford then?  Because it was Ford who gt us through the tough games.  As I said it is a JOKE.

England's George Ford during a training session at the Stade Georges-Carcassonne in Aix-en-Provence, France.

Owen Farrell will replace George Ford at fly-half for England's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Fiji, with Marcus Smith starting at full-back.   Farrell (Captain) with two changes to the side that defeated Samoa. In the front row, Ellis Genge starts at loosehead prop alongside Jamie George at hooker and Dan Cole at tighthead. Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum continue at lock with another Vice Captain Courtney Lawes on the blindside flank, Tom Curry on the openside and Ben Earl at No.8 to round off an unchanged pack.
 
In the halfback berths, Alex Mitchell partners Farrell as Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant  in the centres. In the back three, Elliot Daly returns to the starting XV on the left wing, Jonny May moves to the right and Marcus Smith is set to wear the 15 shirt.
 
Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, George Martin, Billy Vunipola, Danny Care, George Ford ( another Vice-captain), and Ollie Lawrence are named as replacements.   

Steve Borthwick: “The knockout stages of any Rugby World Cup are always full of excitement and keen anticipation for our supporters both at home and here in France. This will be no different. The players cannot wait for this Sunday’s quarter-final against Fiji. Everyone knows just what an unpredictably dangerous opposition Fiji can be. However, we have shown in the group stages how we can win games, and we will be calling on that experience and determination to ensure we carry on our journey.
 
“We are very much looking forward to returning to the special atmosphere of the Stade de Marseille, where we started our campaign back in September with a win against Argentina. I have said it before, but it is right that I say it again, our supporters contributed to a very special night on that occasion, and I have no doubt it will be another memorable evening this Sunday.”

England: Smith; May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly; Farrell (capt), Mitchell; Genge, George, Cole, Itoje, Chessum, Lawes, Curry, Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Marler, Sinckler, Martin, Vunipola, Care, Ford, Lawrence.