Owen returns from suspension to lead England side against Chile

England flyhalf and Captain Owen Farrell has returned to the team’s match day squad that will take on Chile in their 2023 Rugby World Cup pool clash tomorrow after missing out on the first two matches of the tournament due to the match suspension that was handed to him after being cited for a dangerous tackle in the RWC warm-up match against Wales last month.

Farrell will start at flyhalf omitting George Ford from the starting XV and will lead his side for the rest of England’s World Cup campaign taking over from veteran lock Courtney Lawes who has been leading the side in the absence of Farrell.

Coach Steve Borthwick says the examples that Farrell sets are second to none and he is somebody you can follow by example.

Borthwick says Farrell’s ability to harness all of those people and bring them all to be influential leaders within the squad as well is a real skill.

Farrell says he has been looking forward to getting to the World Cup and it’s been tough not playing, but it is been brilliant to see how well the boys have been doing on the pitch and he can’t wait to be part of it.

England will take on Chile at 3.45am tomorrow in Lille.

Starting XV:

Bevan Rodd, Theo Dan, Kyle Sinckler, David Ribbans, George Martin, Lewis Ludlam, Jack Willis, Billy Vunipola, Danny Care, Owen Farrell (c), Max Malins, Ollie Lawrence, Elliot Daly, Henry Arundell, Marcus Smith.

Replacements:

Jack Walker, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Ben Earl, Ben Youngs, George Ford, Joe Marchant.

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