Staff Reporter.
Freddie Steward’s aerial ability and Joe Marler’s scrummage power have won them starts in England’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa.
Steward replaces Marcus Smith, who failed the return-to-play protocols after a knock in the quarter-final win over Fiji.
George Martin comes into the second row in place of Ollie Chessum.
Vice-captain Ellis Genge drops to the bench alongside George Ford as Owen Farrell retains his fly-half role.
Thirteen of England’s squad played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, when South Africa, who started as underdogs, triumphed 32-12.
The two sides have met twice since with England taking a narrow win in 2021 and South Africa comfortably claiming victory a year later at Twickenham – a match that marked the end of Eddie Jones’ reign as England coach.
England line-up: Steward; May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly; Farrell (capt), Mitchell; Marler, George, Cole, Itoje, Martin, Lawes, Curry, Earl.
Replacements: Dan, Genge, Sinckler, Chessum, Vunipola, Care, Ford, Lawrence.
“This feels like a new challenge and a new opportunity,” said captain Farrell when asked what lessons he and his team could take from the Japan 2019 final defeat.
“In four years a lot happens in rugby, a lot happens in a week here.
“We feel like we have changed as a team and I imagine South Africa feel they have changed over four years as well.
“We understand what the task is in front of us and what a good, well-drilled team we are playing against. We are excited to get out there.”
Earlier on Thursday, South Africa named the same starting XV that beat France in the last eight for their return to the Stade de France, with Manie Libbok holding on to the fly-half shirt ahead of Leicester’s Handre Pollard.
South Africa’s first three tries in their victory over the hosts last weekend came via kicks into the backfield and Steward’s ability to defuse that danger will be key if England are to overturn the odds and make a final against either New Zealand or Argentina.
England, ranked fifth in the world, are the only unbeaten team left in the tournament and the only pool winners to have reached the semi-finals. South Africa were runners-up in their pool following a 13-8 defeat by Ireland in their third game in France.