England return to action for the first time since clinching Six Nations glory when they host Georgia in the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup.
Eddie Jones’ men sealed the Six Nations crown only a fortnight ago, beating Italy in the final game of a tournament which began in the spring but was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Autumn Nations Cup is a new tournament featuring the Six Nations teams as well as Georgia and Fiji.
England and Georgia shared a fiesta training in Oxford last year and Jones has warned his side not to expect a “tea party” against their physical opponents.
Date, time and venue
England vs Georgia is scheduled for a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday, November 14, 2020.
The match is being played behind closed doors at the Twickenham due to Government guidelines regarding coronavirus.
How to watch
TV channel: The match will not be shown on TV in the UK.
Live stream: Fans can watch the game on Amazon Prime’s online streaming service.
Team news
England have made seven personnel and two further positional changes to the side that beat Italy as they test their depth. There is a debut for Jack Willis on the openside, and there could be another for Max Malins off the bench.
Will Stuart and Ollie Lawrence make their first starts. Maro Itoje switches to flanker and Jonathan Joseph to the wing.
Georgia have strengthened their pack but will have a new cap on the wing.
Coach Levan Maisashvili named Sandro Svanidze, a graduate of the country’s under-20 team, on the wing for a first cap while former Exeter University lock Lasha Jaiani will play for only the third time after being brought into the squad following their 48-7 loss to Scotland in a warm-up test last month.
They are among eight changes from the side that lost at Murrayfield on Oct. 23.
Line-ups
Starting XV: 15 E.Daly; 14 J.Joseph, 13 O.Lawrence, 12 H.Slade, 11 J.May; 10 O.Farrell ©, 9 B.Youngs; 1 E.Genge, 2 J.George, 3 W.Stuart; 4 J.Launchbury, 5 C.Ewels; 6 M.Itoje, 7 J.Willis, 8 B.Vunipola
Reps: 16 T.Dunn, 17 M.Vunipola, 18 K.Sinckler, 19 B.Earl, 20 T.Curry; 21 D.Robson, 22 M.Malins, 23 J.Marchant
Starting XV: 15 L. Khmaladze, 14 A. Tabutsadze, 13 G.Kveseladze, 12 M. Sharikadze ©, 11 S. Svanidze, 10 T. Abzhandadze, 9 G. Aprasidze, 8 B. Gorgadze, 7 G. Tkhilaishvili, 6 B. Saghinadze, 5 G. Kerdikoshvili, 4 L. Jaiani, 3 B. Gigashvili, 2 S. Mamukashvili, 1 M. Nariashvili
Reps: 16 J. Bregvadze, 17 G. Gogichashvili, 18 L. Kaulashvili, 19 O. Giorgadze, 20 T. Jalagonia, 21 V. Lobzhanidze, 22 D. Tapladze, 23 S. Todua
Betting odds and tips
- England to win: 1/100
- Draw: 41/1
- Georgia to win: 37/1
Odds courtesy of Betfair.
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The Autumn Nations Cup will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video from November 13. Get in on the action by subscribing to Amazon Prime. It costs £7.99 a month, £79 a year or try a 30-day free trial.
