Curry returns for England test against Japan 2 weeks after being KO'ed making a tackle

LONDON (AP) — Tom Curry returns to England’s team for the rugby test against Japan at Twickenham on Sunday, two weeks after being knocked out while making a tackle against Australia.

It was the flanker’s second significant head injury of the season. Curry was also removed from a club match for Sale in September. He has been concussed five times in the last two years.

Amid growing concerns about brain injuries in rugby, England’s coaches have said they were making adjustments to Curry’s technique around contact in an effort to reduce his concussion risk. Assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge insisted this week that every precaution has been taken in Curry’s recovery and the flanker was “100% fit, healthy and ready to go.”

Curry came in on Friday for Chandler Cunningham-South, while the other change saw George Furbank replace Freddie Steward at fullback.

Asher Opoku-Fordjour, a 20-year-old prop, is set to earn his first England senior cap from the bench.

England has lost its last five tests — the national team last lost six in a row in 2006 — but has never lost to Japan. England was Japan's first opponent of the year in June, and lost 52-17 in Tokyo.

“We anticipate a tough challenge from a team that thrives on playing fast and with tempo,” under-pressure England coach Steve Borthwick said.

“Japan are a dangerous team so it’s important that we execute our game plan and maintain focus throughout the full 80 minutes.”

Japan beat Uruguay 36-20 last weekend in Chambery, France, and reverted to a lineup closer to that which met France two weeks ago and lost 52-12 at the Stade de France.

Lock Sanaila Waqa starts in place of Warner Dearns, who was suspended for four games for his red card against Uruguay.

Takuro Matsunaga, the flyhalf against Uruguay, has moved to fullback, and New Zealander Nicholas McCurran, normally a midfielder, will wear the 10 jersey.

Regular flyhalf and captain Harumichi Tatekawa was injured scoring a try against France and returned home.

Japan has been available to media only online this week, and coach Eddie Jones withdrew from announcing the team on Friday because of a cold. Assistant coach Neal Hatley fielded questions and said Jones would be at the game on Sunday.

“Eddie will be there with bells on,” Hatley said. "You've known him long enough to know he's not missing this. It's just a precaution. He'll be fine for the weekend.

“He's unbelievably passionate about improving this Japanese team. He couldn't be more excited about coming to Twickenham. He looks forward to every game.”

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Lineups:

England: George Furbank, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Ollie Sleightholme, Marcus Smith, Jack van Poortvliet; Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry, George Martin, Maro Itoje, Will Stuart, Jamie George (captain), Ellis Genge. Reserves: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Fin Baxter, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Nick Isiekwe, Chandler Cunningham-South, Harry Randall, Fin Smith, Tom Roebuck.

Japan: Takuro Matsunaga, Tomoki Osada, Dylan Riley, Siosaia Fifita, Jone Naikabula, Nicholas McCurran, Naoto Saito (captain); Faulua Makisi, Kazuki Himeno, Kanji Shimokawa, Epineri Uluiviti, Sanaila Waqa, Shuhei Takeuchi, Mamoru Harada, Takato Okabe. Reserves: Seunghyuk Lee, Yukio Morikawa, Keijiro Tamefusa, Daichi Akiyama, Tevita Tatafu, Ben Gunter, Shinobu Fujiwara, Yusuke Kajimura.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby