Thursday 22 November 2012

England head coach Stuart Lancaster brings in lock Joe Launchbury for Saturday's clash against South Africa at Twickenham

England head coach Stuart Lancaster has beefed up his side with six changes for Saturday's clash against South Africa at Twickenham.
Wasps lock Joe Launchbury, 21, impressed off the bench against Fiji and Australia and replaces Tom Palmer from the second row as part of a forward reshuffle that has seen half the pack altered from the 20-14 defeat by Australia.
It will be Launchbury's first Test start and he will be key as England contend with the likes of Eben Etzebeth, the 21-year-old lock described by Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer as their "enforcer".
London Irish loosehead prop Alex Corbisiero, Northampton Saints blindside flanker Tom Wood and Gloucester's number eight Ben Morgan have also been recalled.
Mike Brown (Harlequins) comes in for Charlie Sharples on the left wing, with Ben Youngs partnering Leicester Tigers team-mate Toby Flood at half-back.
Ben Youngs has got the nod for the scrum-half jersey after being preferred to Danny Care with the England management swayed by his superior kicking game.
Manu Tuilagi and Brad Barritt continue in the centres, meaning a return to the England fold for Jonathan Joseph who joins versatile loose-forward James Haskell and Saracens lock Mouritz Botha on the bench.

Lancaster said: "We have picked a team that will give us the best chance of beating South Africa. There were some tight calls, which is what you want as coaches.
"But the players we have brought into start have been training well, will bring a real motivation to make the most of their opportunity and will suit the challenge we face against a tough and physical South African team."
The Springboks will be hoping to wrap up an unbeaten European tour after wins over Ireland and Scotland.
England: 15 Goode, 14 Ashton, 13 Tuilagi, 12 Barritt, 11 Brown, 10 Flood, 9 B Youngs, 1 Corbisiero, 2 T Youngs, 3 Cole, 4 Launchbury, 5 Parling, 6 Wood, 7 Robshaw (captain), 8 Morgan.
Replacements: Paice, Wilson, Vunipola, Botha, Haskell, Care
http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/8270408/England-head-coach-Stuart-Lancaster-brings-in-lock-Joe-Launchbury-for-Saturday-s-clash-against-South-Africa-at-Twickenham

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