Cowan-Dickie starts against USA

By Mark Stevens
24/9/19

Luke Cowan-Dickie is one of ten changes Eddie Jones has made to his England side ahead of their Rugby World Cup clash with the USA on Thursday in Kobe.

The Exeter Chiefs hooker - who scored England's bonus point try in their 35-3 win over Tonga on Sunday - takes the place of Jamie George in the No.2 jersey.

He will pack down alongside the experienced Joe Marler and Dan Cole in the England eight, which also sees starts for Joe Launchbury, George Kruis and Lewis Ludlam.

Behind the pack, Willi Heinz gets his first start alongside George Ford, who will skipper the side from fly-half. Outside of Ford, Piers Francis and Jonathan Joseph form a new-look midfield, while the back three is made up of Joe Cokanasiga and Ruaridh McConnochie on the wings with Elliot Daly named at full-back.

Cowan-Dickie's Exeter team-mates, Henry Slade and Jack Nowell, are not included in the match-day squad, but there is a start for former Chief Will Hooley, who will start the game at full-back for the USA.

Jones said: “The four-day turnaround is something we experimented with against Japan last autumn and so the players have had some experience of it. You have to make sure the two days before the game are exactly the same as you would normally have for any other game. So for us, a short and fast run tomorrow and today is an active recovery day. What I see now is players handling it really well but the game on Thursday will be the litmus test.”

On the team selected for the match Jones said: “It is our best 23 and we have looked at some players that would benefit not playing in this game so have kept them out of the 23. But it is a great opportunity for another set of players to do the team proud.”

Jones added on England’s opposition: “USA are a tough, physical team who are extremely well coached by Gary Gold. There are a number of players who our guys know really well and are a team we respect. They have prepared two weeks with the marines for this game so they will be fit, tough and be playing for the pride of their country.”

England have played USA five times winning all. England’s last Test against the Eagles came in the opening pool game of Rugby World Cup 2007 in Lens, France.

England Squad to face USA

15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 34 caps)
14 Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby, 1 cap)
13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 43 caps)
12 Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 8 caps)
11 Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 8 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, capt 60 caps)
9 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 5 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 63 caps)
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 16 caps)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 90 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 61 caps)
5 George Kruis (Saracens, 36 caps)
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 14 caps)
7 Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 46 caps)

16 Jack Singleton (Saracens, 2 cap)
17 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 13 caps)
18 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 26 caps)
19 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 76 caps)
20 Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons/ Sale Sharks, 15 caps)
21 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 90 caps)
22 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 74 caps)
23 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 37 caps)