Latu in fitness fight for Tonga

Tonga captain Nili Latu is battling to be fit for his team’s World Cup eliminator against England in Paris on Friday night.

Latu has been named to lead the side by head coach Quddus Fielea, but he has still to shake off a hamstring problem.

Fielea has made three changes, including one positional switch, up front following Tonga’s narrow loss to Pool A winners South Africa in Lens last Saturday.

Flanker Hale T Pole returns from suspension to pack down alongside back-row colleagues Latu and Toulouse number eight Finau Maka.

Viliami Vaki, who started in the number six shirt against South Africa, moves to lock instead of an injured Paino Hehea – and will partner Lisiate Fa’aoso.

Victory for Tonga on Friday would send them into their first World Cup quarter-final, with reigning champions England making an early exit.

Team: V Lilo; T Tu’ifua, S Hufanga, E Taione, J Vaka; P Hola, S Tu’ipulotu; S Tonga’uiha, A Lutui, K Pulu, V Vaki, L Fa’aoso, H T Pole, N Latu (capt), F Maka.

Replacements: E Taukafa, T Filise, M Molitika, I Afeaki, S Havea, H Tonga’uiha, A Havili.