Prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour, capable of playing on the left or right, was a key player in the brilliant season of the England U20s, winners of the Six Nations Tournament and the World Rugby U20 Championship.
This match marks the return of Eddie Jones to the Allianz Stadium, against England now managed by Steve Borthwick, whom he himself had launched as coach within the Japan staff.
In the starting XV, Tom Curry and Sam Underhill will make up the third line. Curry, back after a concussion, takes over the number six at the expense of Chandler Cunningham-South, who started against South Africa last weekend.
George Furbank takes Freddie Steward's place at full-back, in the only other change to the starting XV for England determined to end their five-game losing streak.
The England team (against Japan):
-
Ellis Genge
-
Jamie George (c)
-
Will Stuart
-
Maro Itoje
-
George Martin
-
Tom Curry
-
Sam Underhill
-
Ben Earl
-
Jack van Poortvliet
-
Marcus Smith
-
Ollie Sleightholme
-
Henry Slade
-
Ollie Lawrence
-
Tommy Freeman
-
George Furbank
Substitutes:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Fin Baxter
18. Asher Opoku-Fordjou
19. Nick Isiekwe
20. Chandler Cunningham-South
21. Harry Randall
22. Fin Smith
23. Tom Roebuck
