Saints trio named in England team for South Africa clash

Courtney Lawes and Dylan Hartley have been cleared to take their places in the England starting XV for Saturday’s QBE International against South Africa.
Saints captain Dylan Hartley (left) retains his place in the England team after passing a concussion test this morningSaints captain Dylan Hartley (left) retains his place in the England team after passing a concussion test this morning
Saints captain Dylan Hartley (left) retains his place in the England team after passing a concussion test this morning

The Saints duo suffered concussion in the 24-21 defeat to New Zealand last Saturday and had been unable to train with the team earlier in the week.

However after passing a concussion test this morning they were cleared to slot back in today.

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Tom Wood, a third Saints player, starts after becoming a doubt with an injury that England would only describe as “soreness”.

Australia's Adam Ashley-Cooper is tackled by Wales' George North during the Dove Men Series match at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. PRESS  ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday November 8, 2014. See PA story RUGBYU Wales. Photo credit should read: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only. Strictly no commercial use. No use in books without prior written permission from WRU. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information. NNL-141113-112623002Australia's Adam Ashley-Cooper is tackled by Wales' George North during the Dove Men Series match at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. PRESS  ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday November 8, 2014. See PA story RUGBYU Wales. Photo credit should read: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only. Strictly no commercial use. No use in books without prior written permission from WRU. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information. NNL-141113-112623002
Australia's Adam Ashley-Cooper is tackled by Wales' George North during the Dove Men Series match at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday November 8, 2014. See PA story RUGBYU Wales. Photo credit should read: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only. Strictly no commercial use. No use in books without prior written permission from WRU. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information. NNL-141113-112623002

Anthony Watson’s first start on the wing in place of the injured Semesa Rokoduguni is the only alteration for Stuart Lancaster’s side.

Fellow Saint George North (pictured) returns to the wing for Wales’ clash with Fiji in Cardiff on Saturday.

England team v South Africa: Mike Brown (Harlequins); Anthony Watson (Bath), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Kyle Eastmond (Bath), Jonny May (Gloucester); Owen Farrell (Saracens), Danny Care (Harlequins); Joe Marler (Harlequins), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), David Wilson (Bath), Dave Attwood (Bath), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Tom Wood (Northampton), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens).

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Replacements: Rob Webber (Bath), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Kieran Brookes (Newcastle), George Kruis (Saracens), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Ben Youngs (Leicester), George Ford (Bath), Marland Yarde (Harlequins).

Wales team v Fiji: Liam Williams (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints); Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, capt), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dan Lydiate (unattached), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys).

Replacements: Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), James King (Ospreys), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), James Hook (Gloucester), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues).