England vs Japan team announcement: Eddie Jones builds on promise to ‘smash’ his former side
Re-live Eddie Jones' press conference after he named his side to face Japan
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Eddie Jones has promised England fans has something “special” to look forward to when Bath’s 21-year-old winger Joe Cokanasiga makes his debut against Japan on Saturday in their third Autumn Internationals match.
England have made 11 changes from the side that narrowly lost to New Zealand and Jones built on the promise he made at the weekend to “smash” the team he coached in the 2015 World Cup.
“We want to play really well because we don't get too many opportunities to play as England, so we want to be ruthless and play every minute like it's the last one,” Jones said.
“You always look back fondly on teams and players that you've coached but you move on. Our job on Saturday is to play the best 80 minutes of November.”
Fiji-born back Cokanasiga received the perfect birthday present by being named in the England team on Thursday for the first time and Jones believes his physical strengths can benefit the side. “He's excited. He's quite a shy boy but we're starting to see his character come out. He's got something very special. Pace and power.” Re-live the whole of Jones' live press conference below:
Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's England team announcement, with Eddie Jones set to name his side that will take on Japan this weekend.
Jones is expected to make a few changes after gruelling encounters with South Africa and New Zealand, and with Australia up next, Saturday's match could prove the perfect opportunity to give a number of fringe players a run-out.
Will bring you the latest from 11:30am.
BREAKING11 changes for England as Eddie Jones rotatest his squad
Elliot Daly; Joe Cokanasiga, Jack Nowell, Alex Lozowski, Chris Ashton; George Ford, Danny Care; Alec Hepburn, Jamie George, Harry Williams; Charlie Ewels, Maro Itoje; Courtney Lawes, Mark Wilson, Zach Mercer.
Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Ben Moon, Kyle Sinckler, Ted Hill, Sam Underhill, Richard Wigglesworth, Owen Farrell, Henry Slade.
Eddie Jones won't be joining us for another 25 minutes, but here's what he's had to say about the squad he's selected.
“Japan is an important game for us as we want to get back to winning ways. We have also tested ourselves in having a shorter preparation. We gave the players two days off after three weeks of intensive work. We have had a short preparation but a good preparation.”
On the squad selected Jones added: “This weekend is a good opportunity for us to test the depth of the squad. A number of players have changed their roles going from finishers to starters and starters to finishers so that is the essential change to the squad. It is exciting to be able to give starting opportunities to Zach Mercer and Joe Cokanasiga and young Ted Hill on the bench.
On Ford as captain, he said: “It’s a wonderful moment for him and his family. Fifty caps and captaining the side is a great honour and every game he plays for England he gives his absolute best.”
On Japan he added: “We are expecting plenty of energy, aggression and fast ball movement. They will be full of surprises, quick taps, lineouts and plays. They are going to have a bag of magic.”
Jones said on the Twickenham factor: “Last week the fans were absolutely exceptional in the atmosphere they created for the players. It was the best I have seen and we are looking forward to more of that on Saturday.”
On the short turnaround:
We've had a really good preparation. We've had to get organised quickly and we've done some prior work on Japan. But the players needed a break and they've had a break.
Two training sessions this week:
Two training sessions but two good training sessions.
On Joe Cokanasiga:
He's excited. He's quite a shy boy but we're starting to see his character come out. He's got something very special. Pace and power.
On the half-backs:
George Ford has the responsibility as the captain and the 10 of guiding the team around the field, and Danny Care has that sparkle around the ruck.
On the pack:
It's a great opportunity for Charlie Ewels, he's been in and around the team and he gets a chance to run the lineout against Michael Leitch, who's a very good player.
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