England vs Tonga team news: George Ford and Owen Farrell start in full-strength side for World Cup opener

Eddie Jones has selected the strongest side possible by naming 13 of the 15 players who started the 57-15 rout over Ireland last month for the campaign opener in Sapporo

Eddie Jones has chosen to start George Ford with Owen Farrell in what looks to be England’s strongest squad possible for the Rugby World Cup opener against Tonga.

In a team that features 13 of the 15 players who started the record victory over Ireland last month, Farrell will captain the side from inside centre alongside Manu Tuilagi, with the midfield a repeat of the one that tore Joe Schmidt’s Irishmen to shreds in the warm-up games.

The only two changes to that side sees Anthony Watson start on the wing in place of Joe Cokanasiga – who is completely absent from the matchday squad after struggling with a knee injury this week – and Courtney Lawes, who takes the place of George Kruis to partner Maro Itoje in the second row.

“The focus this week has been about getting right for Tonga,” Jones said. “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.”

Joe Marler has been passed fit to start in the absence of Mako Vunipola, with the Harlequins prop named at loosehead despite sitting out training on Thursday afternoon. He’s joined in the front row by hooker Jamie George and tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler, with Itoje and Lawes in the second row.

Jones also sticks with the double-openside option of Tom Curry and Sam Underhill, previously dubbed 'The Kamikazi Kids' by the Australian, with the former continuing at blindside flanker and Billy Vunipola at No 8 as expected.

Ben Youngs joins Ford as the half-backs with Farrell and Tuilagi outside them, and Jonny May and Elliot Daly complete the back three with Watson on the right wing.

There are five players in the starting line-up who will be making their first appearance at a World Cup in Daly, Sinckler, Itoje, Curry and Underhill, with a further four World Cup rookies on the bench in Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Lewis Ludlam and Willi Heinz. They are joined by Dan Cole, Kruis, Henry Slade and Jonathan Joseph – who will have to cover the wing if needed should anything happen to May or Watson.

England team vs Tonga

Elliot Daly; Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell, Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Dan Cole, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, Henry Slade, Jonathan Joseph.