RWC19: England select five Sarries
Five Saracens have been named in England's 23 to face USA in their second match of the Rugby World Cup on Thursday.
George Kruis earns a start after impressing as a replacement against Tonga while Billy Vunipola and Elliot Daly retain their Number 8 and full-back slots respectively.
Hooker Jack Singleton is set for his first involvement from the bench and skipper Owen Farrell has been rotated, taking the 22 shirt.
The five Sarries will come up against club teammate Titi Lamositele who features for the Eagles at tighthead.
England kick-started their World Cup with a bonus-point victory over Tonga.
Head coach Eddie Jones said: “The four-day turnaround is something we experimented with against Japan last autumn and so the players have had some experience of it. You have to make sure the two days before the game are exactly the same as you would normally have for any other game. So for us, a short and fast run tomorrow and today is an active recovery day. What I see now is players handling it really well but the game on Thursday will be the litmus test.”
On the team selected for the match 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.”
Jones added on England’s opposition: “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 has played USA five times winning all. England’s last Test against the Eagles came in the opening pool game of Rugby World Cup 2007 in Lens, France.
England starting XV
15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 34 caps)
14 Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby, 1 cap)
13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 43 caps)
12 Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 8 caps)
11 Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 8 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 60 caps) C
9 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 5 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 63 caps)
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 16 caps)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 90 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 61 caps)
5 George Kruis (Saracens, 36 caps)
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 14 caps)
7 Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 46 caps)
Finishers
16 Jack Singleton (Saracens, 2 cap)
17 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 13 caps)
18 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 26 caps)
19 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 76 caps)
20 Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons/ Sale Sharks, 15 caps)
21 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 90 caps)
22 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 74 caps)
23 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 37 caps)
