Brad Shields handed England start with Danny Cipriani on the bench

Chris Robshaw dropped from matchday 23; Watch Saturday's second Test between South Africa and England live on Sky Sports Action from 3pm

By Tony Tighe

Eddie Jones says the inclusion of Brad Shields at flanker gives him an extra lineout option

Joe Launchbury and Brad Shields come into the England starting line-up for Saturday's second Test against South Africa, with Danny Cipriani named on the bench.

Launchbury replaces Nick Isiekwe in the second row after recovering from a calf injury while Shields is preferred at blindside flanker to Chris Robshaw, who is dropped for the first time since Eddie Jones took over as head coach.

Shields impressed when introduced from the bench during last Saturday's 42-39 defeat to the Springboks and will make his full debut in Bloemfontein.

Live International Rugby Union

"Based on South Africa's likely selection of an extra lineout jumper we have decided to start with Brad Shields, which improves our lineout," said Jones.

"It is tough on Chris Robshaw as he has been an outstanding player for us but I know he will bounce back."

Advertisement
Image: Danny Cipriani is named on the England bench

Robshaw drops out of the matchday 23 with Newcastle's Mark Wilson named on the bench alongside fly-half Cipriani, who could win his first cap since 2015.

"We are looking for something a little bit different to finish the game, which he can bring," said Jones of Cipriani.

Also See:

"He's been training well and doing everything that has been asked of him."

England suffered a 42-39 defeat to South Africa in a thrilling first Test in Ellis Park

England: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Jonny May, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Mike Brown, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Maro Itoje, 6 Brad Shields, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Mark Wilson, 20 Nathan Hughes, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Danny Cipriani, 23 Denny Solomona.
Outbrain