England’s Farrell, Ford reunite as Irish Byrne gets shot at WC ticket

London: Owen Farrell and George Ford will start a Test match together for the first time in over a year when England play Ireland in a World Cup warm-up match at Twickenham on Saturday.

Farrell returns to the starting XV -- he was a replacement in the 13-6 defeat by Wales last Saturday -- partnering Manu Tuilagi in the centres with Ford retaining his place at fly-half.

Ben Youngs comes in at scrum-half -- Willi Heinz having started against the Welsh in both Tests -- with experienced prop Joe Marler getting his first start since coming out of international retirement.

The last time Ford and Farrell started together was the second Test against South Africa in Bloemfontein last June, which England lost 23-12.

Jones has yet to feature his most contentious selection, uncapped wing Ruaridh McConnochie who was injured for both the Wales games.

England have one more warm-up match after the Ireland game in Newcastle against Italy on Sept.6 prior to departure for Japan.

England begin their World Cup campaign against Tonga in Sapporo (Sept.22).

Meanwhile, Ross Byrne has the chance to book his place on the plane to Japan for the rugby World Cup as he starts at fly-half for Ireland in their warm-up Test with England on Saturday.

The 24-year-old playmaker is competing with Jack Carty to be the third option to first choice Johnny Sexton with regular number two Joey Carbery battling to recover from an ankle injury.

Ireland’s first match in Japan is on Sept.22 against Scotland. Byrne, who will win his third cap, will be partnered at Twickenham by first choice scrum-half Conor Murray as coach Joe Schmidt selected a strong starting XV.

The Irish’s next game is with this year’s Six Nations Grand Slam winners Wales, in Cardiff on Aug.31 and then Dublin on Sept.7.

Agence France-Presse

England team (15-1): Elliot Daly; Joe Cokanasiga, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Billy Vunipola, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry; George Kruis, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Mako Vunipola, Dan Cole, Courtney Lawes, Mark Wilson, Willi Heinz, Piers Francis, Jonathan Joseph Coach: Eddie Jones

Ireland team (15-1) Rob Kearney; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Ross Byrne, Conor Murray; CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier, Peter O’Mahony; Jean Kleyn, Iain Henderson; Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (capt), Cian Healy Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Devin Toner, Tadhg Beirne, Luke McGrath, Jack Carty, Andrew Conway Coach: Joe Schmidt (NZL)