Shields and Cipriani rushed in for Boks
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones has made two changes to his team to play South Africa in the second Test in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
There are two changes to the starting XV that played on Saturday with Brad Shields (Hurricanes/Wasps) making his first England start at blindside flank and Joe Launchbury (Wasps) coming in for Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), having recovered from his calf injury.
Danny Cipriani (Wasps) is named on the replacement bench, coming in for Piers Francis (Northampton Saints).
Cipriani’s last cap for England came against France ahead of the Rugby World Cup in 2015. Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons) is also included as a finisher having last played for England on the Argentina tour last season.
“We have come here to win the series against South Africa and the squad is ready to go out and beat them this weekend,” Jones said.
“We have had a very good preparation this week and the intensity and executions in those sessions are going to put us in a good position for Saturday.
“The way the team have come together has been superb. Owen Farrell, with a number of the senior players, has really moulded the squad together.
“They are working hard to improve their game to make sure we win.”
Commenting on the change in the back row, Jones added: “Based on South Africa’s likely selection of an extra line-out jumper we have decided to start with Brad Shields, which improves our line-out.
“It is tough on Chris Robshaw as he has been an outstanding player for us but I know he will bounce back.
“Danny Cipriani will come onto the bench, as we are looking for something a little bit different to finish the game, which he can bring. He’s been training well and doing everything that has been asked of him.”
On facing South Africa in Bloemfontein, Jones added: “When you have a win like South Africa did on Saturday you come into the game with a bit of confidence so we have to make sure we dent the Springboks’ confidence early. Bloemfontein is a very fast ground at altitude. It has an average of 60 points per Test match so we are anticipating an ebb-and-flow type game like we had in Johannesburg.”
England lost the first match of the three-Test series against South Africa in Johannesburg 42-39 on Saturday.
Their final match is in Cape Town (23 June).
England: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Jonny May, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Mike Brown, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Maro Itoje, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Mark Wilson, 20 Nathan Hughes, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Danny Cipriani, 23 Denny Solomona.
Date: Saturday, June 16
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17.00 (16.00 UK time; 15.00 GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
