Freddie Steward is back at fullback to start Saturday’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa, while Joe Marler and George Martin are drafted into the pack in the team named by England coach Steve Borthwick on Thursday. Ellis Genge and Ollie Chessum move to the bench, but there is no place in the squad for Marcus Smith, the starting fullback against Fiji who left the field with a bloodied nose after a clash of heads with Harlequins teammate Vinaya Habosi. It was not initially clear whether the 24-year-old was fit for selection after he passed a Head Injury Assessment mid-way through the game and has not trained fully this week.
The recalled Steward will be tasked with shutting down the Springboks’ aerial kicking game and helping to put England on the front foot with his power and aerial excellence. He has started 29 of England’s last 32 Test matches at the Red Rose position and has a wealth of experience to draw upon when he lines up against the reigning champions in the Stade Velodrome rematch.
Steward has a strong relationship with the other members of England’s defense, including lock Joe Marler, who has been drafted into the pack. The pair have been working together in the Six Nations, and Marler is expected to provide a formidable combination with Chessum when the England props are asked to work their magic in the scrum.
In the backs, Owen Farrell is back at fly-half in a do-or-die encounter with the side that beat him to the 2019 final, and he will link up well with Manu Tuilagi, who returns to start at No 12 for his second World Cup semi-final. The Saracens star has been the driving force behind much of England’s impressive attacking play and will surely be a handful for the South African defense when they get their hands on him.
There is also a welcome return to the bench for Courtney Lawes, who will partner the ever-dependable George Ford at No 8. The Saracens stalwart has impressed since his surprise call-up to the squad and can play anywhere across the backline.
The England team has remained the same to face the World Champions and number one ranked side, which means that Manu Tuilagi will again line up at No 12, with George Martin packing down in the second row instead of Ollie Chessum. The Leicester Tigers lock has a proven track record against the Springboks and has been tasked with helping to impose an early physical presence on the opposition. He will also be used to cutting off the threat of Manie Libbok, who retains the No. 10 shirt ahead of Handre Pollard. The two sides meet in a rematch of the 2019 final, which South Africa won. A win for England would take them to the final for the first time in their history, and the winner will face either New Zealand or Argentina in the final at Twickenham on Sunday.
