The England rugby coach Stuart Lancaster has named his strongest side for Saturday's Rugby World Cup opener against Fiji.
Though England face crunch Pool A games against Wales and Australia later in the tournament, Lancaster says they cannot afford a slip up against an in-form Fiji team.
England rugby coach Stuart Lancaster. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
He's picked the same side that started the home victory over Ireland in their final warm-up match, with the only change to the 23 coming on the bench where hooker Rob Webber is preferred to Jamie George.
George Ford has been given the nod to control proceedings at first five, ahead of Owen Farrell, while halfback Ben Youngs wins his 50th cap.
Rugby league convert Sam Burgess is poised to earn his third test cap, off the bench, with the Vunipola brothers Mako and Billy also among the substitutes.
Fiji coach John McKee intends to play his strongest team also.
Fiji rugby coach John McKee. Photo: Supplied / England Rugby 2015
He says all of his players are fit and available but his selections won't be influenced by who England put on the park.
"The coaches pretty much have in mind especially [what] our starting fifteen will be and we're just having to make a decision aroun how we structure our bench but for us it's about our team and about how we play so whoever England select won't affect our selection for this game".
Pool A has been widely referred to as the pool of death but John McKee says they're looking at it as a pool of opportunity and a chance to take some mahor scalps and progress to the play-offs.
The Fiji team outside Hampton Court Palace in London, following their official Rugby World Cup welcoming ceremony. Photo: Supplied / England Rugby 2015
