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England’s game against USA is a chance for fringe players to impress

SAPPORO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 22: Lewis Ludlam of England takes on James Faiva (L) and Sione Kalamafoni during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group C game between England and Tonga at Sapporo Dome on September 22, 2019 in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

The fact Eddie Jones can make 10 changes to his starting XV to face the USA and still put out a team full of quality players speaks volumes for England’s squad depth.

It is a side filled with international experience despite the changes and Dan Cole will come in to earn his 91st cap, tying him third in England’s all-time appearance list with Jonny Wilkinson.

But even the more inexperienced players such as Ruaridh McConnochie, Lewis Ludlam and Willi Heinz – all set to start their first World Cup game – have proven themselves to be exceptional players.

Read more: USA hoping to make England sweat in World Cup encounter

For them, and a lot of the individuals involved, today’s game is a chance to put in a stand-out performance.

If they don’t, and injuries don’t force Jones to change his plans, it could be the only Rugby World Cup match they play.

Billy Vunipola looks as though he will start every minute of the tournament, just as Lawrence Dallagio did in 2003, as Jones has selected the No8 again.

And it will also be interesting to see whether George Ford can replicate his exceptional performances at fly-half during the warm-up games without Owen Farrell there to inhibit him.

Back to basics

For England, another bonus-point victory will be the minimum requirement, but the game will also be a chance for them to tidy up their execution of some of the basics.

There were a few too many handling errors and penalties given away against Tonga but, as with today’s game against the USA, in some respects England are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

They could have put 80 points past the Pacific Islanders on Sunday, but if they had, everyone would have said “it was only Tonga”.

George Ford will captain England and will play at fly-half without Owen Farrell besides him

The first match of the World Cup was always going to pose a challenge after two months of build-up. Tonga are more used to the timezone and climate, and were pumped up to smash into England from the off, as will the USA be in their first outing of the tournament.

The humid conditions and slippery ball will also take some getting used to. You can practice with a slippery ball in training as much as you want, but nothing can prepare you for a match environment.

If it had been the last match of the group then England may well have racked up 80 points. But Tonga are not serious contenders and hitting them for 80 was not going to win England the World Cup.

It is a similar story today. The most important thing is that England come through it with the win and continue to build toward bigger games against Argentina and France.

Writing on the wall

One team who do look like they will win the World Cup is New Zealand. They silenced those suggesting South Africa, England or anyone else could lift the trophy with a 23-13 win over the Springboks last weekend. On that evidence, it will take a monumental performance to turn them over.

Read more: Rugby World Cup notes: Scotland face to battle to progress as Fiji fall to foul play

Ireland could be the team to do just that after their sensational 27-3 win over Scotland. They looked immense against Gregor Townsend’s side, who look sure to be flying home early.

They now have a must-win game against Samoa on Monday, who are the last team you want to face after producing your worst ever performance.

Former England Sevens captain Ollie Phillips is a director within the real estate & construction team at PwC and founder of Optimist Performance. Follow Ollie on Twitter and on LinkedIn.