Tom Wood to start for England in back row against South Africa
Tom Wood is set to start against South Africa
©PA
England head coach Eddie Jones has recalled Northampton’s Tom Wood to the starting XV to face South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.
Once described as 'distinctly average' by Jones, Wood will recreate a back-row trio that last started together in the disastrous home loss to Wales at the 2015 World Cup.
The 30-year-old although hasn't played for England since the World Cup, has been outstanding in training alongside Chris Robshaw and Billy Vunipola.
The uncapped Nathan Hughes, Ben Te’o, Kyle Sinckler and Josh Beaumont have also made the cut, with at least three of the four set to be on the bench.
Also back in thick of things is Wood’s Northampton team-mate Courtney Lawes, who has recovered on time from a knee problem to seal his place alongside Joe Launchbury in the second row.
Injuries to Jack Nowell and Anthony Watson have handed starting opportunities to Jonny May and Marland Yarde on wings in the back line.
ENGLAND (probable XV): M Brown; M Yarde, J Joseph, O Farrell, J May; G Ford, B Youngs; M Vunipola, D Hartley (c), D Cole, J Launchbury, C Lawes, C Robshaw, T Wood, B Vunipola.
