Bloemfontein: England’s efforts to mount a series comeback against South Africa have been boosted by the return of a fit-again Joe Launchbury. The Wasps lock has recovered from a sore calf and is set to feature in a reshuffled pack for Saturday’s second Test in Bloemfontein.
Launchbury will be a valuable addition for a game England have to win to avoid going 2-0 down with one to play. The hard-working forward was conspicuous by his absence in Johannesburg, with Saracens’ Nick Isiekwe being hauled off after only 36 minutes of his side’s 42-39 defeat at Ellis Park, but is now available to partner Maro Itoje in the second row.
A change also looks likely in the back row, with Chris Robshaw under pressure for his place from the newcomer Brad Shields. Robshaw has been a long-standing regular under both Stuart Lancaster and Eddie Jones but has found his best form elusive lately. Shields heads the list of contenders to replace him, with his soon-to-be Wasps colleague Nathan Hughes having also impressed the management in training.