Furbank and Curry return for England against Japan

Autumn Nations Series: England v Japan

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Date: Sunday, 24 November Kick-off: 16:10 GMT

Coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app

Tom Curry and Sam Underhill – nicknamed the "Kamikaze Kids" by Eddie Jones – will start together in the back row for England against Jones' Japan on Sunday.

Curry is back after concussion and starts on the blind-side flank in place of Chandler Cunningham-South, who drops to the bench.

In the other change from the starting XV that lost to South Africa, full-back George Furbank comes in for Freddie Steward.

Meanwhile, Sale's 20-year-old prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour is set for his England debut from the bench, with experienced tight-head Dan Cole left out of the 23.

Also among the replacements, Fin Smith is named as back-up fly-half instead of George Ford.

Steve Borthwick’s side have lost five games in a row, but are heavy favourites to stop their losing run against the Blossoms, who are the last side they beat in June.

"We anticipate a tough challenge from a team that thrives on playing fast and with tempo," said Borthwick.

"Japan are a dangerous team so it’s important that we execute our gameplan and maintain focus throughout the full 80 minutes."

England: Furbank; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Sleightholme; M Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Martin, T Curry, Underhill, Earl.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Baxter, Opoku-Fordjour, Isiekwe, Cunningham-South, Randall, F Smith, Roebuck.