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Eddie Jones axes Chris Robshaw as England make two change

Chris Robshaw, along with Nick Isiekwe, drop out of the England starting team for Saturday's second test against South Africa
Chris Robshaw, along with Nick Isiekwe, drop out of the England starting team for Saturday's second test against South Africa

Brad Shields will start England's second Test against South Africa after Chris Robshaw was dropped to the bench for the first time in his international career.

Shields, a New Zealander who qualifies through his parents, has been picked at blindside flanker to make his full debut just two weeks after joining up with Eddie Jones' squad for the first time.

It is a bold selection call by Jones, who has viewed Robshaw as a key player until his decision to drop him from the match-day squad for Saturday's clash in Bloemfontein.

"Based on South Africa's likely selection of an extra line-out jumper we have decided to start with Brad Shields, which improves our line-out," Jones said.

"It is tough on Chris Robshaw as he has been an outstanding player for us but I know he will bounce back."

The only other change to the starting XV sees Joe Launchbury restored to the second row having completed his recovery from the calf injury that forced him to miss the first Test.

Launchbury partners Maro Itoje with Nick Isiekwe, who was withdrawn in a tactical substitution three minutes before half-time in the 42-39 defeat at Ellis Park and is now also overlooked for the bench.

Instead, the spot among the replacements that Shields filled in Johannesburg is taken by Mark Wilson, with the last remaining change to the 23 toppled by the Springboks in the first Test seeing Danny Cipriani come in for Piers Francis.

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