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England to face Italy at Newcastle’s St James’ Park as RFU move Rugby World Cup warm-up away from Twickenham

Eddie Jones’ side will play back-to-back matches against Wales as well as facing Ireland at Twickenham before heading north to take on Italy in the first England match held in Newcastle

Jack de Menezes

Wednesday 05 September 2018 11:28 BST

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Chris Ashton had a 'glint in his eye' over England return says Eddie Jones

England will play Italy at Newcastle’s St James’ Park next September for the first time after the Rugby Football Union announced a plan to take one of the World Cup warm-up matches away from Twickenham.

The RFU confirmed on Wednesday that they have agreed to play their Six Nations opponents at Newcastle United’s ground on Friday 6 September, with a 7.45pm kick-off in what will be their final match before the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

It will be the first time that the RFU stage an England international away from the south-west London stadium, affectionately known as the ‘Home of Rugby’, in 10 years, and is an attempt to capitalise on the strong turnout in Manchester for England’s 2015 World Cup encounter against Uruguay despite Test matches at Twickenham understood to generate over £10m.England will face Wales in back-to-back games, first at Twickenham on Sunday 11 August 2019 and then at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium the following Saturday, with Ireland visiting London on Saturday 24th August.

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

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1/30South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

<b>South Africa:</b> Warrick Gelant – 5 out of 10

Shaky start on his return in place of Willie le Roux as he threw a debateable pass that was picked off by Slade before kicking straight into touch. Struggled after the break and shifted out to the wing when Le Roux came on.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

S'busiso Nkosi – 5 out of 10

Created a good chance when he finally saw the ball, but Kriel did him no favours. Chip and chase just bounced kindly for May to run clear. Replaced by Le Roux midway through the second half.

Reuters

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Jessie Kriel – 7 out of 10

Butchered what should have been a two-on-one chance as he closed the space on Nkosi and allowed Brown to mark them both, but ran hard with the ball and aware enough to score the opening try.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Andre Esterhuizen – 7 out of 10

Missed tackle on May early on, but brought good line speed in defence and triggered the first-half counter attack.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Aphiwe Dyantyi – 6 out of 10

Made an important interception when England were attacking in the Springboks half, but always looked to cut in with the ball rather than take on his opposite man.

EPA

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Elton Jantjies – 4 out of 10

Poor start kicking-wise as he missed his first effort at goal, but from hand he was much more accurate to pin England back. Bounced off by Brown in a big collision and finally got South Africa off the mark with a penalty on the stroke of half-time. Looked bereft of confidence after break, and predictably hauled off soon after the restart.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Faf de Klerk – 6 out of 10

Powerful tackle on Hughes brought the crowd to its feet and it was his defensive effort that really stood out as opposed to his attacking genius. Struggled to impose attacking-wise though.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Tendai Mtawarira – 6 out of 10

Met his match physically as he was stopped immediately in his first two carries, but solid in the scrum

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Chiliboy Ralepelle – 5 out of 10

Guilty of conceding both the first-half penalties that led to points for Farrell to take the lead into half-time. Replaced just three minutes into the second half by the returning Schalk Brits.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Frans Malherbe – 6 out of 10

Disrupted England ball to win a penalty at the breakdown in the first half and was a rock in the scrum.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

RG Snyman – 6 out of 10

Ne good carry in the second half but didn’t have the same impact that we’ve seen in the other two matches.

EPA

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Franco Mostert – 7 out of 10

Bone-shaking run over Slade that paved the way for Kriel’s try and was South Africa’s best carrier by a country mile.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Siya Kolisi – 6 out of 10

His threat was nullified at the breakdown as England enjoyed more front-foot ball. Replaced by Sikhumbuzo Notshe with 10 minutes left.

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Pieter-Steph du Toit – 7 out of 10

Seemed to be everywhere in defence and it was a really impressive display from the blindside flanker. Had to move to lock in the second half that prevented his impact on the game, but carried well.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Duane Vermeulen – 7 out of 10

Another impressive display from the No 8. His carrying was emphatic and he secured a brilliant turnover when he pinched the ball off Launchbury in the second half. Looked to tweak his hamstring in the act of it though.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

<b>England:</b> Elliot Daly – 6 out of 10

Committed rugby sin No 1 when he kicked a penalty dead to cost England precious territory and possession. Missed a 45m penalty on the angle that was a tricky kick, and had a few nice flashes with the ball.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Jonny May – 8 out of 10

What a tour for the Leicester Tigers wing. He maintained his run of a try in each Test as he scored the crucial try that sealed the win for England as his incredible pace ensured he reached the ball before the dead ball line, and made a flying start to the game as he carried repeatedly for good gain. Brilliant working back after a knock-on prevented a Springbok try as he ran behind his posts and kicked clear. England’s man of the tour by a long way.

Reuters

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Henry Slade – 6 out of 10

Pinched an interception in the first half and defensively he was going well until Mostert trucked over him. Attacking-wise, he is yet to seize his chance.

Reuters

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Owen Farrell – 7 out of 10

Missed a drop-goal that was a bit of a risk from 45m out, but from the tee he was at his exemplary best as he kicked 20 points that effectively won the match.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Mike Brown – 7 out of 10

Strong both with and without the ball as he made a powerful carry to brush off Jantjies, and defensively he was smart to close down Kriel’s two-on-one. Another player who has really stood out on this tour.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Danny Cipriani – 7 out of 10

Largely starved of creative ball to work with, but his moment to shine finally came and he took it. Spotting May out wide, Cipriani squeezed a kick through two Springbok defenders as he was hit that allowed May to touch down.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Ben Youngs – 6 out of 10

A better performance this week as his box-kick accuracy was improved, but still half-a-yard off the pace.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Joe Marler – 7 out of 10

Much was made of Mako Vunipola’s absence but Marler seamlessly slotted in. Very strong in the scrum – not least when he helped shove the South African pack into reverse in the dying minutes – and it was a very good 80 minute showing from the Harlequin.

AP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Jamie George – 7 out of 10

Another who produced his best performance in Cape Town. Excellent at the lineout bar one blemish, and was strong in the scrum and the loose.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Kyle Sinckler – 7 out of 10

Caught off his feet early on, but carried to great effect in the first half and won a penalty in the scrum after the restart. Replaced by Harry Williams midway through the second half with both players pushing Dan Cole hard for the Test spot.

EPA

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Joe Launchbury – 7 out of 10

Got through a shed-load of carrying and his return to the pack from injury has really helped reinforce the pack.

AFP

South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Maro Itoje – 7 out of 10

Good lineout presence as he competed in the air well. A bit overkeen at the start as he started driving in the lineout before Vermeulen returned to earth.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Chris Robshaw – 8 out of 10

Made the most of his return to the side with Brad Shields ill. Got over the ball more than he has done in the last year and made a real nuisance of himself. A few nice carry and offloads too.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Tom Curry – 7 out of 10

Along with Robshaw he caused real problems for the Springboks at the breakdown, securing a penalty after the break that led to three points for Farrell.

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South Africa vs England third Test player ratings

Nathan Hughes – 6 out of 10

Probably England’s most disappointing player as he struggled to make an impact. Shoved backwards by De Klerk in what should’ve been a one-way contest and it wasn’t the only time he was stopped in his tracks either. One good offload to Brown out the tackle, but needs to do a lot more to permanently oust Billy Vunipola.

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But in what will also be an unusual change, the match against Italy will be played on a Friday night, with Newcastle United’s St James’ Park much more suited to late-night matches than Twickenham due to the ease of getting to and from the stadium. It will also prove to be the final chance that head coach Eddie Jones has to tinker with his squad, with England due to fly out their 31-man World Cup party two weeks later.

“These Quilter Internationals will be extremely important to the squad’s final preparations before we head out to Japan,” Jones said. “It is great news to be able to take England to another part of the country and Newcastle will be fantastic hosts like they were for the matches here in 2015. We will look forward to playing in front of a great Northern crowd.”

The English football season will have already started by the time the game comes about, with Newcastle United set to well into their 2019/20 season be it in the Premier League or Championship should they suffer relegation this year, but the match will fall in the international window and thus will not clash with any of the Magpies’ fixtures.

St James' Park will host an England rugby match for the first time (Getty)

Newcastle United’s managing director Lee Charnley said: “We are excited to have brought another high profile rugby event to St. James’ Park and to the city, and look forward to hosting Eddie Jones and his team before they embark on their trip to Japan.”

The announcement is another boost for rugby union in the north, with Newcastle Falcons reaching the Premiership semi-finals last season after their fourth-place finish in the league – their highest since the introduction of the play-off system.

Under former England international Dean Richards, the Falcons have progressed from Championship favourites to Premiership contenders, and the feel-good vibe in the city when it comes to the 15-man game has not gone unnoticed.

The match will be the first England game to be taken away from Twickenham in 10 years (Getty)

“I am delighted that England have chosen to play their last game before heading off to Japan in Newcastle at St James’ Park, said Councillor Kim McGuinness, Cabinet Member for Culture Sport and Public Health. “The game is a significant addition to the sporting legacy of the City and recognises our ability to stage top class international sporting events.”

England of course played at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium during their home Rugby World Cup three years ago, but this is the first time the RFU have elected to move one of their matches since England played Argentina at Old Trafford in 2009, while they also faced New Zealand at the home of Manchester United in 1997 and played both Italy and the Netherlands in international qualifiers in Huddersfield the following year.

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