Curry passed fit for Japan test fortnight after being knocked out

England coach Steve Borthwick has recalled Tom Curry to face Japan at Twickenham on Sunday just a fortnight after he was knocked out against Australia, his fifth concussion in two years.

Curry's inclusion at blindside flanker is one of two changes to the side defeated 29-20 by world champions South Africa last Saturday, with George Furbank returning at full-back as England look to end a run of five straight defeats.

Curry missed last week's loss to the Springboks after he was concussed tackling Australia's Rob Valetini during the 23rd minute of England's 42-37 defeat by the Wallabies at Twickenham on November 9.

It was the 26-year-old's second major head injury of the season after he was also removed from a club match for Sale in September.

But the tough-tackling flanker, once dubbed a "kamikaze kid" by Japan boss Eddie Jones when the veteran Australian coach was in charge of England, still got the nod over Chandler-Cunningham South, who drops down to the bench.

Concussion has become a major issue in several sports, with hundreds of former football, rugby union and rugby league players now taking legal action against governing bodies they allege failed to take reasonable action to protect them from permanent injury.

But England assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge insisted Wednesday that Curry was "100 per cent fit, healthy and ready to go".

Furbank has returned in place of Freddie Steward, recalled against South Africa for his ability under the high ball, but now dropped completely from the matchday 23.

Asher Opoku-Fordjour is set to make his test debut off the bench despite only being called into the training squad when Joe Marler announced his test retirement in the build-up to the November opener against New Zealand.

Opoku-Fordjour, a member of the England Under-20 team that won this year's junior world cup, will provide cover at tighthead prop – a move that means test centurion Dan Cole loses his place on the bench.

Veteran fly-half George Ford has also been dropped from the bench, with Fin Smith preferred as cover for Marcus Smith.

England's five-game losing streak is their worst sequence of results since 2018 – when Jones was in charge.

Japan were the last side beaten by England, with Borthwick's men cruising to a 52-17 win in Tokyo in June.

The Brave Blossoms have yet to enjoy a win over England.

Nevertheless, Borthwick said: "We anticipate a tough challenge from a team that thrives on playing fast and with tempo.

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

Japan are due to name their side later Friday.

ENGLAND (15-1)

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 (capt), Ellis Genge

REPLACEMENTS: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Fin Baxter, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Nick Isiekwe, Chandler Cunningham-South, Harry Randall, Fin Smith, Tom Roebuck

COACH: Steve Borthwick (ENG)