England v Tonga preview, teams and key stats
England's Rugby World Cup campaign kicks off on Sunday with a third-ever meeting against Tonga.
Owen Farrell will captain the side at inside centre with George Ford starting at 10 for the Pool C opener.
Manu Tuilagi is named at outside centre with Elliot Daly, Jonny May and Anthony Watson making up the back three.England’s most capped scrum half Ben Youngs will start in his 90th match for his country.
Head coach Eddie Jones has selected Joe Marler, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler in the front row with Courtney Lawes and Maro Itoje chosen as the lock pairing.
Tom Curry will start at blindside flanker with Sam Underhill at open while Billy Vunipola is named at number 8.
Nasi Manu has been named in Tonga's match-day 23 to face England, his first test match since defeating cancer. Number eight Manu was ruled out of playing throughout 2018, and had to undergo months of chemotherapy.
Racing Metro front-rower Ben Tameifuna is named in the starting XV while four players in the squad for Sunday were in the 23 against the All Blacks in their last Rugby World Cup match: Sanatane Takulua, Siale Piutau, Sione Kalamafoni and Kurt Morath, who is Tonga's all-time leading points scorer with 340.
- When? Sunday 22 September
- Kick-off? 11:15am BST
- Where? Sapporo Dome
- Coverage? ITV and Radio 5 live, live updates on englandrugby.com
VIEWS FROM THE CAMP
England head coach Eddie Jones said: “The focus this week has been about getting right for Tonga. We have had a good seven days in Japan where we have acclimatised really well, our sleep patterns are good and the physical conditioning of the players is outstanding. We have been able to add a bit more on our team togetherness and cohesion too.
“Now it is about putting in a game plan against Tonga and it is important to be tactically right. We know they are going to be ferocious and full of pride and passion. They are a side if they get a bit of momentum they can be very dangerous and are well-coached by Toutai Kefu. They have a great World Cup record and we will need to be at our best on Sunday.
“I don’t think there is anyone who isn’t excited about getting out there on Sunday and there is a good feeling around the place. We are delighted to be up here in Sapporo and to play at the stadium will be a unique experience for us and something the team is looking forward to.”
Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu said: "We're really looking forward to this game and the team has been preparing really well for our last two weeks here in Japan.
"England are an excellent team and we know that this going to be a tough challenge, but we wouldn't have it any other way and the team is looking forward to Sunday.
"We want to inspire the people of Tonga whether they are at home or wherever they are watching around the world with our 2019 campaign. That all starts Sunday and our entire squad will be fighting hard for all of our fans."
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1999: England 101-10 Tonga
2007: England 36-20 Tonga
KEY STATS
- This will mark the third meeting between England and Tonga, with England having won the past two meetings (both at men’s Rugby World Cups) by a combined score of 137-30.
- England have opened each of their last six Rugby World Cup campaigns with a win; the last time they lost their opening game of the tournament was a 1991 defeat to New Zealand at Twickenham.
- England have won only two of their last five games at men’s Rugby World Cups, including a 60-3 triumph over Uruguay in their most recent fixture at the tournament.
- England have surpassed 40 points scored in a game on three occasions thus far in 2019; the last time they did so more times in a calendar year was in 2003 (7), including two instances in their triumphant 2003 Rugby World Cup campaign.
TEAMS
England team to face Tonga
15 Elliot Daly, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Owen Farrell (c), 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 1 Joe Marler, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Maro Itoje, 6 Tom Curry, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Billy Vunipola.
Replacements
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Dan Cole, 19 George Kruis, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Jonathan Joseph.
Tonga starting XV
15. David Halaifonua, 14. Atieli Pakalani, 13. Siale Piutau (c), 12. Cooper Vuna, 11. Viliami Lolohea, 10. Kurt Morath, 9. Sonatane Takulua; 1. Siegfried 'Fisiihoi, 2. Sosefo Sakalia, 3. Ben Tameifuna, 4. Sam Lousi, 5. Halaleva Fifita, 6. Sione Kalamafoni, 7. Zane Kapeli, 8. Maama Vaipulu.
Replacements
16. Siua Maile, 17. Latu Talakai, 18. Ma'afu Fia, 19. Dan Faleafa, 20. Nasi Manu, 21. Leon Fukofuka, 22. James Faiva, 23. Nafi Tu'itavake.
