England and Australia resume their Nations Championship campaigns as the two sides meet at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.
Steve Borthwick’s side bounced back from an opening defeat to South Africa in July with wins over Fiji and Argentina, but must build on that momentum into a crucial campaign with a year to go until the World Cup.
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They face a tricky opening test, though, with the Wallabies having showcased their attacking threat particularly throughout this year and having had the benefit of plenty of time together.
They may spy a vulnerable England, though, with Borthwick’s squad this week forced to come out fighting for their head coach after a report claimed that he had lost the faith of his player in July.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is England vs Australia?
England vs Australia is due to kick off at 3.10pm GMT on Sunday 8 November at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch every game of the Nations Championship live on ITV’s channels and ITVX.
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Team news
England welcome back all of Fin Baxter, Ben Curry and George Furbank following long lay-offs with injury, while Maro Itoje returns to captain the side having been rested in July. The less experienced of the Curry twins is included with brother Tom ruled out, while Ollie Chessum continues in the back row.
There are six forwards on the bench, including a potential debutant in Greg Fisilau. Marcus Smith provides fly-half cover after Fin Smith won his race to be fit to start.
England XV: 1 Fin Baxter, 2 Jamie George, 3 Joe Heyes; 4 Maro Itoje (capt.), 5 Alex Coles; 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Ben Curry, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 10 Fin Smith; 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 12 Seb Atkinson, 13 Henry Slade, 14 Tommy Freeman; 15 George Furbank.
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Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 George Martin, 20 Greg Fisilau, 21 Henry Pollock; 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Marcus Smith.
Australia also opt for a lock on the flank, with Jeremy Williams improving their lineout options and graft around the park. Declan Meredith is preferred to Ben Donaldson at fly half, while Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is again deployed on the wing.
Rob Valetini strengthens a bench with plenty of strike-running threat.
Australia XV: 1 Angus Bell, 2 Billy Pollard, 3 Allan Alaalatoa; 4 Josh Canham, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto; 6 Jeremy Williams, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (capt.); 9 Ryan Lonergan, 10 Declan Meredith; 11 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 13 Isaac Henry, 14 Max Jorgensen; 15 Tom Wright.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Valetini, 20 Carlo Tizzano; 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Filipo Daugunu.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
