England v South Africa World Cup final team news: Eddie Jones names unchanged side - 'we'll play with no fear'
England will entrust twin playmakers George Ford and Owen Farrell with the task of masterminding victory over South Africa after naming an unchanged side for Saturday's Rugby World Cup final.
Eddie Jones has kept faith with Ford at fly-half after his outstanding display in the remarkable 19-7 last-four victory over New Zealand - despite the physical threat posed by Springboks centre Damien de Allende.
Farrell and Manu Tuilagi continue their midfield partnership and there is a boost for England in the front row after Kyle Sinckler won his battle with a calf injury to resume at tighthead prop.
There is one injury-enforced change on the bench where Ben Spencer comes in for Willi Heinz, who has been ruled out of Jones' 50th Test as head coach because of a hamstring injury.
Spencer will win his fourth cap and make his World Cup debut if he is brought on to replace scrum-half Ben Youngs.
It is the first time since March 2016 and only the second occasion overall that Jones has named an unchanged starting XV.
Farrell leads a side that contains 731 caps as England appear in their fourth final and bid to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy for the second time.
"It has been a good week, the players have been together a while now so it's less about the volume of training this week, it's more about sharpening the sword," Jones said.
"South Africa are a difficult opponent and we are going to have to fight really hard to win."
RISE AND SHINE 🌄
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) October 31, 2019
Here's your England squad to face the @Springboks on Saturday in the #RWCFinal
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"We're enjoying the tournament - the only sadness is that the tournament is going to end," Jones added.
"We're having a great time and we want it to continue, but it comes to an end so we've got one more opportunity to play well.
"We want to play with no fear. We can definitely play better, there's no doubt about it. The players know that.
"There's a steeliness about the players but also a nice, relaxed feeling because they know they've done the work so they can get on with the job.
"Our whole mindset this week about is taking the game to South Africa, playing with no fear. Where can we take our game to? What level can we take our game to?
"We know South Africa aren't going to give us the game, they are going to come hard.
"We've got to meet their physicality, but we're looking forward to that and being able to impose our game on them.
"The boys know what's ahead of them, everyone knows what's at stake, but because we've had such a good preparation we know we can go out there and play without any fear.
"Generally speaking the World Cup final is between the two best teams in the world, you have to win your pool and you've got to win a quarter-final and a semi-final so, you've got to be at the top of your game.
"That means both teams mentally, physically and tactically are ready to go."
May passed fit
"Every week we pick the team we think is right for the occasion," Jones said.
"We look at the conditions, the referee, the opposition, we look at the way we want to play and we feel that is the best balance for the team this week.
"Kyle Sinckler is going to be absolutely buzzing at the weekend, he'll be out there ready to go."
Jonny May was also passed fit after suffering a dead leg against New Zealand and Jones added on Sky Sports News: "Jonny's much better, he played in a lot of pain last week.
"They weren't great concerns, we always felt they were going to be ready to play."
One change for South Africa
South Africa's star wing Cheslin Kolbe returns in the only change made by coach Rassie Erasmus.
Kolbe replaces Sbu Nkosi in the number 14 jersey after recovering from the ankle injury that forced him to miss the 19-16 last four victory over Wales.
The Springboks have remained true to form by naming a six-two split between forwards and backs on the bench, signalling their intent to target England up-front.
Siya Kolisi will captain South Africa for the 20th time as he becomes the eighth player in the 23 to have won 50 caps.
It is a familiar line-up, 22 of which will be appearing together for the fourth time in the tournament.
"Chessie is fully fit and ready to go. It's tough on Sbu to drop out of the 23 altogether but he has made vital contributions to our campaign," Erasmus said.
"But we have been developing some momentum through the tournament, which has come from consistency and although we know there are things we can do better this is a fit, well-practiced set of combinations.
"Getting to this stage is not enough for this team. We now have what may be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to become world champions - something that would mean so much to our country and our people.
"We know the excitement that there is back home and that the country may well be coming to a standstill on Saturday lunchtime in South Africa. There's a huge weight of expectation.
"We may not be favourites but these players will leave nothing in the tank. We know how the wins in 1995 and 2007 lifted the country - even if it was momentarily. We want to give South Africa that experience once again."
Teams for the World Cup final
England: E Daly; A Watson, M Tuilagi, O Farrell (captain), J May; G Ford, B Youngs; M Vunipola, J George, K Sinckler, M Itoje, C Lawes, T Curry, S Underhill, B Vunipola.
Replacements: L Cowan-Dickie, J Marler, D Cole, G Kruis, M Wilson, B Spencer, H Slade, J Joseph.
South Africa: W Le Roux; C Kolbe, L Am, D De Allende, M Mapimpi; H Pollard, F De Klerk; T Mtawarira, M Mbonambi, F Malherbe, E Etzebeth, L De Jager, S Kolisi (captain), PS Du Toit, D Vermuelen.
Replacements: M Marx, S Kitshoff, V Koch, RG Snyman, F Mostert, F Louw, H Jantjies, F Steyn.
Referee: Jerome Garces (France).
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