England name team to face Boks
Wasps centre Elliot Daly is set to make his first England start after being named Thursday in the run-on XV to face South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.
Daly, all of whose five previous caps have come off the bench, has edged out Jonathan Joseph with the Bath midfielder, who has been struggling with a minor groin injury, now among the replacements.
Daly's inclusion alongside Owen Farrell gives England a midfield featuring both a left-footed and right-footed kicker.
This is the first time that Joseph has been dropped since becoming an England regular during the 2015 Six Nations.
Elsewhere in the backs, wing Jonny May returns after a lengthy lay-off.
Up front, flanker Tom Wood has been recalled in place of the injured James Haskell.
Wood returns after nearly a year of Test exile, having been previously overlooked by Eddie Jones, who replaced Stuart Lancaster as coach following hosts England's first-round exit at last year's World Cup.
Wood beat Nathan Hughes to a place in the starting side, with the Wasps back row one of three uncapped players on a bench featuring Harlequins prop Kyle Sinckler and Worcester centre Ben Te'o.
"We've picked a matchday 23 with a blend of experience and youth," said Jones.
Courtney Lawes is set to win his 50th cap as he resume his World Cup second row partnership with Joe Launchbury.
The pair return in the absence of injured first-choice locks Maro Itoje and George Kruis as England seek an 11th straight win and 10th in a row under Australian coach Jones, who currently has a perfect record as Red Rose boss.
In all there are six changes to the England side that beat Australia 44-40 in Sydney to complete a 3-0 series win against the Wallabies.
Dylan Hartley, the hooker, again captains England, bidding for a first win over the Springboks since 2006 -- a run spanning 12 Tests.
"We've trained well this week and I'm pleased with how the players have come together and responded to some of the things we've asked them to do," Jones said.
"The boys are focused and ready to go."
"We're looking forward to the game. It's a fantastic opportunity to show how much depth we have in English rugby.
"With a few influential players not available for selection this is a great opportunity for some of the new faces to put both feet forward and we're backing them to do the job for us.
"Test matches are always about the contest up front and South Africa pride themselves in the set-piece but we'll be ready for the challenge.
"We congratulate Courtney Lawes on his 50-cap milestone -- an excellent achievement.
"I'm also pleased to see a number of returning players get their chance on Saturday, most notably Jonny May after his long injury rehabilitation
Saturday's match is the first of England's four end-of-year Tests, with Fiji, Argentina and Australia arriving after the Springboks at Twickenham on successive weekends.
South Africa are due to name their side later on Thursday.
England (15-1)
Mike Brown; Marland Yarde, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Billy Vunipola, Tom Wood, Chris Robshaw; Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury; Dan Cole, Dylan Hartley (capt), Mako Vunipola
Replacements: Jamie George, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Dave Attwood, Nathan Hughes, Danny Care, Ben Te'o, Jonathan Joseph
Daly's inclusion alongside Owen Farrell gives England a midfield featuring both a left-footed and right-footed kicker.
This is the first time that Joseph has been dropped since becoming an England regular during the 2015 Six Nations.
Elsewhere in the backs, wing Jonny May returns after a lengthy lay-off.
Up front, flanker Tom Wood has been recalled in place of the injured James Haskell.
Wood returns after nearly a year of Test exile, having been previously overlooked by Eddie Jones, who replaced Stuart Lancaster as coach following hosts England's first-round exit at last year's World Cup.
Wood beat Nathan Hughes to a place in the starting side, with the Wasps back row one of three uncapped players on a bench featuring Harlequins prop Kyle Sinckler and Worcester centre Ben Te'o.
"We've picked a matchday 23 with a blend of experience and youth," said Jones.
Courtney Lawes is set to win his 50th cap as he resume his World Cup second row partnership with Joe Launchbury.
The pair return in the absence of injured first-choice locks Maro Itoje and George Kruis as England seek an 11th straight win and 10th in a row under Australian coach Jones, who currently has a perfect record as Red Rose boss.
In all there are six changes to the England side that beat Australia 44-40 in Sydney to complete a 3-0 series win against the Wallabies.
Dylan Hartley, the hooker, again captains England, bidding for a first win over the Springboks since 2006 -- a run spanning 12 Tests.
"We've trained well this week and I'm pleased with how the players have come together and responded to some of the things we've asked them to do," Jones said.
"The boys are focused and ready to go."
"We're looking forward to the game. It's a fantastic opportunity to show how much depth we have in English rugby.
"With a few influential players not available for selection this is a great opportunity for some of the new faces to put both feet forward and we're backing them to do the job for us.
"Test matches are always about the contest up front and South Africa pride themselves in the set-piece but we'll be ready for the challenge.
"We congratulate Courtney Lawes on his 50-cap milestone -- an excellent achievement.
"I'm also pleased to see a number of returning players get their chance on Saturday, most notably Jonny May after his long injury rehabilitation
Saturday's match is the first of England's four end-of-year Tests, with Fiji, Argentina and Australia arriving after the Springboks at Twickenham on successive weekends.
South Africa are due to name their side later on Thursday.
England (15-1)
Mike Brown; Marland Yarde, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Billy Vunipola, Tom Wood, Chris Robshaw; Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury; Dan Cole, Dylan Hartley (capt), Mako Vunipola
Replacements: Jamie George, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Dave Attwood, Nathan Hughes, Danny Care, Ben Te'o, Jonathan Joseph
(File Photo: Gallo Images)
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