George Ford is set to return to England’s No 10 jersey and form a midfield partnership with Owen Farrell against Samoa.
Due to injuries and suspensions, Ford and Farrell are yet to start together under Steve Borthwick but the experienced pair are likely to combine for the final pool match in Lille.
England name their team on Thursday and Manu Tuilagi has been publicly backed to make his first appearance against his ancestral homeland.
The powerhouse centre has never played against Samoa, despite representing England for more than a decade, but that is set to change on Saturday.
Freddie Steward is likely to return at full-back, meaning Marcus Smith would miss out on the starting XV despite his exciting performance against Samoa.
George Ford is set to return at No 10 against Samoa and partner captain Owen Farrell in midfield
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/04/12/76155527-12592779-image-a-15_1696417832892.jpg)
The experienced pair have played together a number of times but not yet under Steve Borthwick due to suspensions and injuries
![Manu Tuilagi is in line to start his first game against Samoa - the centre's ancestral homeland](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/04/11/76154657-12592779-image-a-2_1696416206543.jpg)
Manu Tuilagi is in line to start his first game against Samoa – the centre’s ancestral homeland
Despite scoring five tries on his World Cup debut last week, winger Henry Arundell could also miss out.
Attack coach Richard Wigglesworth said: ‘It’s about balance. I’m not going to change how Elliot Daly plays on the wing and try to get Henry Arundell to play like him, or vice versa, or for any of them. I want them to bring their best game to the field.’
![Borthwick's side have already qualified for the last-eight, were they are likely to face Fiji](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/04/11/76154651-12592779-image-a-4_1696416217116.jpg)
Borthwick’s side have already qualified for the last-eight, were they are likely to face Fiji
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk