England Autumn Internationals Squad 2022 – England 13-27 South Africa

It was more Tetch match than Test match, but South Africa ended their year with a bruising win in London, defeating England 27-13.

The Boks thrived in the conditions and England fell foul of the match officials. South Africa scored two tries – the pick of which was a Kurt-Lee Arendse score in the first half – and were happy to build a score as England’s penalty count mounted. The green scrum was on top. Thier big players imposed themselves. Faf de Klerk had three penalties and Damian Willemse also scored two drop-goals. 

The second half began with the second of the fly-half’s three-pointers… And was immediately followed by a scuffle. Farrell got a penalty to make it six points for the hosts, but shortly after an England penalty down the other corner was reversed as Jonny Hill needlessly yanked Faf de Klerk out of the mass of bodies to fire him back towards his side. 

From the ruck England infringed again and Tom Curry was given a yellow card. The close-range score from Eben Etzebeth had been coming…  

There was a lifeline for England after replacement prop Thomas du Toit was given a red card on the hour mark for a run-up, no-arms smash into the head of Luke Cowan-Dickie. Could England begin their 21-point comeback?

South Africa stole the lineout then kicked the ball into the Spidercam, taking things back to a Bok scrum on the five-metre. 

England would eventually work their way to a turnover and advantage, and got their second go at the lineout. And again the visitors won it back. 

But Owen Farrell and Jack Nowell willed England back into things, with the skipper’s crossfield kick finding the Exeter wing, who refused to be brought down as England tore upfield. A few phases later and with a penalty, there was Ben Youngs tap-and-go before the replacement nine popped to Farrell on the charge. He then worked it to Henry Slade who went over for the score. 

Henry Slade goes over for England (Getty Images)

The conversion made it 13-27. 

But in the drizzle, things fizzled out. Sure there was more gobbiness and plenty more errors, but that was that. A statement win for the world champions at the end of a difficult foray north.

England will be dismayed at how they could capitulate at home. This was their worst calendar year since 2008.

England team to face Springboks – Saturday 26 November

Freddie Steward, Tommy Freeman, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (captain), Jonny May; Marcus Smith, Jack van Poortvliet; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Jonny Hill, Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, David Ribbans, Sam Simmonds, Ben Youngs, Henry Slade, Jack Nowell.

England team to face Japan – Saturday 12 November

Freddie Steward; Jack Nowell, Guy Porter, Owen Farrell (Captain), Jonny May; Marcus Smith, Jack van Poortvliet; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Kyle Sinckler, David Ribbans, Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Tom Curry, Sam Simmonds.

Replacements: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Joe Heyes, Alex Coles, Billy Vunipola, Ben Youngs, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi.

England team to face Argentina – Sunday 6 November

Freddie Steward; Joe Cokanasiga, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (captain), Jack Nowell; Marcus Smith, Ben Youngs; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Kyle Sinckler, Alex Coles, Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Jack Singleton, Mako Vunipola, Joe Heyes, David Ribbans, Sam Simmonds, Jack Willis, Jack van Poortvliet, Henry Slade.

England Autumn Internationals Squad 2022

FORWARDS

(DoB/Club/Position/Test debut/caps)
Alex Coles (21 Sept 1999/Northampton Saints/Lock/Uncapped)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (20 Jun 1993/Exeter Chiefs/Hooker/2016 v Australia/37 caps (+3 for Lions)
Tom Curry (15 Jun 1998/Sale Sharks/Flanker/2017 v Argentina/41 (+3 for Lions)
Ellis Genge (16 Feb 1995/Leicester Tigers/Prop/2016 v Wales/39)
Joe Heyes (13 Apr 1999/Leicester Tigers/prop/2021 v Canada/5)
Jonny Hill (8 Jun 1994/Exeter Chiefs/Lock/2020 v Italy/15)
Maro Itoje (28 Oct 1994/Saracens/Lock or back-row/2016 v Italy/58 (+6 for Lions))
Lewis Ludlam (8 Dec 1995/Northampton Saints/Back-row/2019 v Wales/14)
George McGuigan (30 Mar 1993/Newcastle Falcons/Hooker/uncapped)
Tom Pearson (26 Oct 1999/London Irish/Back-row/Uncapped) Joined the squad with Courtney Lawes undergoing return to play protocols
Val Rapava Ruskin (12 Oct 1992, Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
David Ribbans (29 Aug 1995, Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Bevan Rodd (26 Aug 2000/Sale Sharks/Prop/2021 v Australia/2)
Sam Simmonds (10 Nov 1994/Exeter Chiefs/No 8/2017 v Argentina/9)
Kyle Sinckler (30 Mar 1993/Bristol Bears/Prop/2016 v South Africa/47 (+6 for Lions))
Jack Singleton (14 May 1996/Gloucester/Hooker/219 v Wales/3)
Hugh Tizard (31 Mar 2000/Saracens/Lock/uncapped)
Billy Vunipola (3 Nov 1992/Saracens/No 8/64 caps)
Mako Vunipola (14 Jan 1991/Saracens/prop/70 caps)
Jack Willis (Unattached/back-row/2020 v Georgia/4 caps)

BACKS
Henry Arundell (8 Nov 2002/London Irish/full-back/2022 v Australia/3 caps) Rehabbing in camp after aggravating a foot injury.
Joe Cokanasiga (15 Nov 1997/Bath Rugby/2019 v Italy/12 caps)
George Furbank (17 Oct 1996/Northampton Saints/Full-back/2020 v France/5)
Will Joseph (15 Jul 2002/London Irish/centre/2022 v Australia/1 cap)
Max Malins (7 Jan 1997/Saracens/Full-back or fly-half/2020 v Georgia/14)
Cadan Murley (31 Jul 1999/Harlequins/wing/uncapped)
Jack Nowell (11 Apr 1993/Exeter Chiefs/Wing/2014 v France/41)
Guy Porter (23 Jan 1997/Leicester Tigers/centre/2022 v Australia/2)
Raffi Quirke (18 Aug 2001/Sale Sharks/Scrum-half/2021 v Australia/2)
Adam Radwan (30 Dec 1997/Newcastle Falcons/Wing/2021 v Canada/2) Joined the squad with Henry Arundell recovering from a foot injury
Tom Roebuck (7 Jan 2001/Sale Sharks/Wing/Uncapped) Joined the squad with Jonny May pulling out with a dislocated elbow
Henry Slade (19 Mar 1993/Exeter Chiefs/Centre/2015 v France/48) Joined the squad with Owen Farrell undergoing return to play protocols
Marcus Smith (14 Feb 1999/Harlequins/Fly-half/2021 v USA/13)
Freddie Steward (5 Dec 2000/Leicester Tigers/Full-back or wing/2021 v USA/13)
Manu Tuilagi (18 May 1991/Sale Sharks/Centre/2011 v Wales/46)
Jack van Poortvliet (15 May 2001/Leicester Tigers/2022 v Australia/2)
Ben Youngs (5 Sep 1989/Leicester Tigers/Scrum-half/2010 v Scotland/117 (+2 for Lions))

Undertaking return to play protocols:

Owen Farrell (24 Sep 1991/Saracens/Fly-half or centre/2012 v Scotland/96(+6 for Lions))
Courtney Lawes (23 Feb 1989/Northampton Saints/Lock/2009 v Australia/96(+5 for Lions))

Unavailable for selection due to injury:
Alfie Barbeary, Ollie Chessum, Nic Dolly, Alex Dombrandt, Charlie Ewels, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, Jamie George, Sam Jeffries, Nick Isiekwe, Jonny May, Harry Randall, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill, Jack Walker.

England Autumn Internationals Fixtures 2022

Sunday 6 November, England 29-30 Argentina

Saturday 12 November, England 52-13 Japan

Saturday 19 November, England 25-25 New Zealand

Saturday 26 November, England v South Africa (5.30pm, Twickenham Stadium)

• All four matches are live on Amazon Prime,

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