Curry returns for England rugby test against Japan, 2 weeks after being knocked out making a tackle

LONDON (AP) — Tom Curry will return to England’s team for the rugby test against Japan 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, with Curry also having been removed from a club match for Sale in September. It lifted his number of concussions for the last two years to five.

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 that the flanker was “100% fit, healthy and ready to go.”

Curry came in 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 been beaten by Japan.

“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.”

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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.