England head coach Stuart Lancaster believes that Manu Tuilagi will be able to handle a switch to number 12 for the side's second Test against South Africa on Saturday.
The 21-year-old has been moved from outside centre to provide cover for Brad Barritt, who is due to miss out through injury, allowing Jonathan Joseph to earn his Test debut.
"Clearly he's got a different role to play, both defensively and in attack," said Lancaster. "At 13 we wanted to get him across the gainline but didn't quite achieve that last week, I felt.
"We're moving him a bit closer in to the set-piece and obviously there are one or two areas we can use him there, clearly in attack, and defensively as well. It's a different job defending at 12 so we've done a lot of work to make sure he's ready for it.
"Manu has some experience at 12. He hasn't played all of his rugby there by any stretch of the imagination, but certainly we're confident in the work we've done and his understanding of the game. We're comfortable with what Manu's rugby pedigree gives him and what he can offer the team."
Meanwhile, Lancaster has also decided to drop Owen Farrell in favour of Toby Flood.
Danielle Joynson
