Anthony Watson was set to make his first Test start after being included Thursday in England coach Stuart Lancaster’s XV to play South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.
Watson’s selection on the right wing in place of injured Bath team-mate Semesa Rokoduguni (thigh), who made his debut last weekend against New Zealand, was the only change to the run-on side beaten 24-21 by the world champion All Blacks in England’s opening November international.
The 20-year-old Watson, who made his Test bow by coming on as a second-half replacement last weekend, saw his place on the bench taken by Harlequins wing Marland Yarde in the only other change to England’s matchday 23.
“Anthony has been pushing hard for a while and has been in impressive form for Bath and in training with us,” Lancaster said in a Rugby Football Union statement.
“It was great that he got on against New Zealand and we feel he’s ready to start. Equally, it’s good to have Marland back in the matchday 23.”
Meanwhile, up front both lock Courtney Lawes and hooker Dylan Hartley were passed fit after the Northampton pair suffered concussion injuries against New Zealand.
The one, injury-enforced change, has seen Lancaster effectively give the same group of players the chance to make amends after they led 14-11 against New Zealand at half-time only to let the match slip from their grasp, especially in the third quarter.
England have now suffered four successive defeats, albeit all at the hands of New Zealand, and will be looking to stop the rot on Saturday when scrum-half Danny Care wins his 50th cap.
“Congratulations to Danny. It’ll be a special moment for him and I’m sure he’ll rise to the occasion,” said Lancaster, who first worked with the Harlequins No 9 when Care was a schoolboy player in Leeds.
“I know the players are looking forward to the challenge,” Lancaster added.
“South Africa have quality and experience across the park and it will be a big test for us.”
In 12 matches against the ‘big three’ of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia since Lancaster took charge in 2012, England have won just two.
Their record against the Springboks during that time stands at three defeats and a draw in four Tests.
England
Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Brad Barritt, Kyle Eastmond, Jonny May; Owen Farrell, Danny Care; Billy Vunipola, Chris Robshaw (capt), Tom Wood; Courtney Lawes, Dave Attwood; David Wilson, Dylan Hartley, Joe Marler. Replacements: Rob Webber, Matt Mullan, Kieran Brookes, George Kruis, Ben Morgan, Ben Youngs, George Ford, Marland Yarde.
