BEN Howard has kept his place in the England under 20s starting XV for their final IRB Junior World Championship pool game against the USA in France tomorrow (5.45pm).
The Red Rose coaching team have made 11 changes to the side that lost 31-24 to South Africa in their last game, but Warriors back Howard starts on the right wing at the Stade Henri Desgrange, La Roche-sur-Yon.
With a semi-final spot still up for grabs, England need to ensure a bonus-point victory to stand any chance of progressing.
Northampton Saints scrum-half Alex Day captains the side for the first time and is relishing the opportunity.
He said: “It’s a massive honour to be named captain for this game. It’s something you dream of when you’re little and to achieve it is pretty exciting – I’m massively proud and I just want to go out there and do a good job.
“We’re staying in the same hotel as the USA and we know they’re going to be up for it, but we’ve prepared well and are looking forward to the game.”
Gloucester’s Worcester-born lock Elliott Stooke, who scored in the defeat to the Baby Boks, has been left out of the squad.
Meanwhile, Scotland have called up prop Gordon Reid as cover for Warriors tighthead Euan Murray on their injury-hit tour of South Africa.
The Glasgow Warriors prop will provide cover for Murray, who is a fitness doubt with a hamstring problem ahead of Saturday’s Test against the Springboks.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here