Tom Curry will start England’s clash with Japan at Allianz Stadium on Sunday just two weeks after he was knocked out against Australia.
Curry’s selection at blindside flanker is one of two changes to the side defeated 29-20 by South Africa last Saturday, with George Furbank’s return at full-back completing the adjustments.
Only a fortnight ago Curry sustained his second concussion of the season and fifth in two years, but he is preferred ahead of Chandler Cunningham-South who drops to the bench.
Furbank’s promotion comes at the cost of Freddie Steward, who was recalled against South Africa on the strength of his aerial game but has now been dropped from the 23 altogether.
Japan’s high-tempo playing style is designed to stress defences with the ball in hand, placing less of a premium on Steward’s ability in the air.
Head coach Steve Borthwick will be hoping to see more from Furbank, who will act as a second playmaker to Marcus Smith, following his quiet performances against New Zealand and the Wallabies.
Opoku-Fordjour, a member of the England Under-20 team that won the junior world cup during the summer, will provide cover at tighthead prop. It means that Test centurion Dan Cole loses his place on the bench.
George Ford is also missing among the replacements, with Fin Smith preferred as fly-half cover for Smith in his first appearance of the autumn.
England are aiming to end a five-Test losing run, their worst sequence of results since 2018 when Eddie Jones – now in charge of Japan – was still in charge.
“We anticipate a tough challenge from a team that thrives on playing fast and with tempo,” Borthwick said.
“Japan are a dangerous team so it’s important that we execute our game plan and maintain focus throughout the full 80 minutes.”
England team to play Japan at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, November 24 (4.10pm KO): G Furbank (Northampton Saints); T Freeman (Northampton Saints), O Lawrence (Bath Rugby), H Slade (Exeter Chiefs), O Sleightholme (Northampton Saints); M Smith (Harlequins), J van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers); E Genge (Bristol Bears), J George (Saracens), W Stuart (Bath Rugby), M Itoje (Saracens), G Martin (Leicester Tigers), T Curry (Sale Sharks), S Underhill (Bath Rugby) B Earl (Saracens).
Replacements: L Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), F Baxter (Harlequins), A Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), N Isiekwe (Saracens), C Cunningham-South (Harlequins), H Randall (Bristol Bears), F Smith (Northampton Saints), T Roebuck (Sale Sharks).
