{"id":294284,"date":"2023-10-19T19:29:30","date_gmt":"2023-10-19T19:29:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/?p=294284"},"modified":"2023-10-19T19:29:30","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T19:29:30","slug":"england-rugby-world-cup-starting-xv-named-as-trio-dropped-for-south-africa-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/rugby-league\/england-rugby-world-cup-starting-xv-named-as-trio-dropped-for-south-africa-clash\/","title":{"rendered":"England Rugby World Cup starting XV named as trio dropped for South Africa clash"},"content":{"rendered":"

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England head coach Steve Borthwick has made three changes to his starting XV for the World Cup semi-final against South Africa this weekend. Marcus Smith drops out of the squad altogether after being left battered and bruised in England’s quarter-final win over Fiji.<\/p>\n

Ellis Genge and Ollie Chessum also drop down to the bench with Joe Marler and George Martin replacing them respectively. Smith was already a doubt for the semi-final after suffering a nasty head-on-head collision in England’s quarter-final win over Fiji last weekend.<\/p>\n

He passed the head injury assessment, meaning he was able to return to the pitch 14 minutes later and finished the rest of the match. But Smith’s head was heavily bandaged and he also sported some visible facial injuries from the clash.<\/p>\n

Freddie Steward had been England’s first-choice full-back for 28 consecutive matches before he was rotated out of the side for their 71-0 thrashing of Chile. He was then a surprise omission from the squad altogether for the quarter-final against Fiji.<\/p>\n

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\u201cAfter an excellent few days preparation in Paris, we look forward to the challenge of playing the World Champions and number one ranked team in the world,\u201d said Borthwick. \u201cThrough this tournament the team has progressed, with the players repeatedly finding a way to win, sometimes in challenging circumstances. We will once again need to be at our very best this weekend as we face an excellent team in South Africa.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no doubt the players will truly relish the challenge of knockout rugby under the lights in Paris. These players will, as they have done in every game of this tournament, give absolutely everything in the semi-final to get the result we want. I also know that our supporters will once again be there in their thousands, playing their part in backing the team with a full voice. To all those who have travelled and to all those lending their support and encouragement from home, I say \u2018thank you\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

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