# England Make 10 Changes for Japan Clash

> George Ford returns to England's starting lineup for Japan match after February absence.
- Title: England Make 10 Changes for Japan Clash · The Rugby Paper
- Summary: George Ford returns to England's starting lineup for Japan match after February absence.
- Keywords: england, japan, george ford, fly-half, rugby, test match, twickenham, steve borthwick, marcus smith, archie mcparland, The Rugby Paper
- Source: The Rugby Paper — https://therugbypaper.co.uk/all/world/international-rugby-union/497444/england-make-10-changes-for-japan-clash-as-george-ford-returns-at-fly-half
- Author: The Rugby Paper Team
- Published: 2026-11-12T12:48:56+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: england, japan, george ford, fly-half, rugby, test match, twickenham, steve borthwick, marcus smith, archie mcparland, sports
## England's team overhaul
England make 10 changes for Saturday's Test match against Japan at Twickenham with George Ford returning at fly-half after missing since February.
## George Ford returns
Ford makes his first international appearance since February in place of Fin Smith, who is missing from the matchday 23.
## Fin Smith's absence
Smith trained fully this week so his absence is selection based with New Zealand and finals weekend to come this autumn.
## Marcus Smith on bench
Marcus Smith provides playmaker cover from the bench for England's match against Japan.
## New Zealand and finals
Borthwick gives World Cup auditions to Max Ojomoh and Will Joseph while Henry Pollock features in an ambitious team selection.
## Ojomoh and Joseph
Ojomoh comes in at inside centre for Seb Atkinson, who was ruled out against Japan due to hip problem, and Joseph takes over from Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who misses rest of autumn due to ankle damage.
## Henry Pollock's return
Following a successful 40-minute cameo on the wing against Australia, Pollock makes his second England start after replacing Ollie Chessum in reshaped back row.
## Key takeaway

England's rugby team makes 10 changes for Saturday's Japan Test match with George Ford returning at fly-half after missing since February.