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Christian Wade to start as England Saxons make three changes

Christian Wade of the England Saxons during the International match between South Africa A and England Saxons
Image: Christian Wade came off the bench in last week's opener against South Africa A

England Saxons have made three changes to their starting line-up for the match against South Africa A on Friday.

Christian Wade replaces the injured Alex Lewington, Dave Ewers will start at blindside flanker, while Don Armand moves to No 8. Exeter's Sam Hill gets a place on the bench.

The Saxons, 32-24 winners in Friday's first game, will travel to George on Thursday ahead of the match at Outeniqua Park.

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Head coach Ali Hepher said: "Unfortunately Alex has picked up an injury and so is not available.

"There were a couple of big performances off the bench last time and so those players have pushed their cases to make the starting line-up."

Hepher is expecting a tough test from the hosts in the second game of the two-match series.

England Saxons coach Ali Hepher
Image: England Saxons coach Ali Hepher has made three changes

"We've got to improve again," he said. "South Africa will come back with an improved performance and so we need to make a shift as big, if not bigger than they do.

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"We've been working on certain things in training so we can put more into the game and take our opportunities better when they come. We'll be looking to be more clinical this week."

England Saxons: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Nick Tompkins (Saracens), 12 Oliver Devoto, 11 Christian Wade, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Dan Robson, 1 Alec Hepburn (Exeter), 2 Tommy Taylor, 3 Kieran Brookes, 4 Dave Attwood (c), 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Dave Ewers, 7 Matthew Kvesic, 8 Donovan Armand.

Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Ross Harrison, 18 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 19 Mitch Lees, 20 Sam Jones, 21 Michael Young, 22 Sam Hill (Exeter), 23 Sam James.

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