Henry Pollock starts at number eight as England name side to face Japan

Henry Pollock will start at number eight for England when they play Japan in the Nations Championship on Saturday. It will be only his second Test start for England.

Number eight is the forward who packs down at the back of the scrum. He links the pack to the backs and often carries the ball into contact. Pollock has scored eight tries in 14 Tests for England, and he scored two as a stand-in wing against Australia. His only previous start came in February, when Ireland beat England 42-21 at home.

Max Ojomoh is also in line to start, at inside centre. The inside centre is the midfield back who sits between the fly-half and the wings, and who often takes the hit in attack and defence. Ojomoh has not played for England since the win over Argentina a year ago. He was not in the original 36-strong squad for this month's matches, so his return is one of the bigger selection stories of the week.

Will Joseph has also been named in the side. His only previous England cap came in 2022, under Eddie Jones. Jones is now in charge of Japan, so Saturday's match carries a personal thread for both men. Joseph and Jones have history, and the coach is now on the other side of the field.

At fly-half, George Ford keeps the No 10 shirt. The fly-half directs the attack and often kicks or passes to set up the next phase. Marcus Smith is on the bench, ready to come on if England need a change of pace or a different kick option late in the game.

[The full starting line-up, as named by England, is Steward; Joseph, Slade, Ojomoh, Murley; Ford, Van Poortvliet; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Opoku-Fordjour, Itoje, Martin, Coles, Earl, Pollock.] Archie McParland is poised to make his England debut from the bench, which gives him a chance to earn minutes in the closing stages.

For England, the test is familiar: turn Japan's pressure into possession, then use it. The forwards will be asked to win the ball at the ruck, the contest on the ground after a tackle, and keep it moving. Whether the selections click will depend on how the front five and the midfield handle the tempo over 80 minutes.

Pollock's form and his position in the pack will be watched closely. For a player who has moved between roles, a start at number eight gives him a clear job to do.