England head coach Eddie Jones has made five changes from the side that lost narrowly to Argentina in their first outing of the November series.
Persisting with the playmaking axis of Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell, Jones has changed the two players either side of the duo.
Starting at scrumhalf Jack van Poortvliet gets the nod ahead of his club mate Ben Youngs, whilst Guy Porter joins Farrell in the centres.
On the wing Jonny May comes in to replace Joe Cokanasiga in the final backline change.
In the forwards, Jones has brought in the dynamic Sam Simmonds at number eight in place of Billy Vunipola whilst Dave Ribbans starts in the secondrow.
Maro Itoje continues on the flank in Courtney Lawes absence whilst Jamie George has made a miraculous return to the bench following his injury.
Speaking at the team announcement, Jones said, “We’ve worked hard this week to improve on last week’s performance. We’ve taken a good look at our preparation and we are happy with our position going into the game.”
“We’ve made a few changes to the side as we play these four games in November. In particular with Manu we are balancing his workload.”
“Japan are a very good and intriguing side. They play a unique type of rugby based on continuity and team cohesion and we’ll have to be at our best against them at Twickenham on Saturday.”
England starting XV: F Steward (Leicester); J Nowell (Exeter), G Porter (Leicester), O Farrell (Leicester), J May (Gloucester); M Smith (Harlequins), J van Poortvliet (Leicester); E Genge (Bristol), L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), K Sinckler (Bristol), D Ribbans (Northampton), J Hill (Sale), M Itoje (Saracens), T Curry (Sale), S Simmonds (Exeter).
Replacements: J George (Saracens), M Vunipola (Saracens), J Heyes (Leicester), A Coles (Northampton), B Vunipola (Saracens), B Youngs (Leicester), H Slade (Exeter), M Tuilagi (Sale)
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